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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Construction Trades Associate’s Degree Schools

67 Colleges in the United States
8,327 Construction Trades Degrees Awarded
$46,185 Avg Early-Career Salary

Construction Trades degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 928 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for construction trades students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Construction Trades in the United States

Below are the best construction trades schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Construction Trades

1

Leading the list is Honolulu Community College, our #1 school for construction trades. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 157 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Honolulu Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $86,741 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Get the full construction trades details for Honolulu Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas State Technical College one of the top schools for construction trades. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. There were roughly 234 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Texas State Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Texas State Technical College earn around $76,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,668. More information about a degree in construction trades from Texas State Technical College

3

Students looking for a strong construction trades program will find one at Linn State Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 166 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Linn State Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Linn State Technical College earn around $54,080 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the construction trades program at Linn State Technical College

4

A rank of #4 makes Williamson College Of The Trades one of the top schools for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. Williamson College Of The Trades awarded about 30 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full construction trades details for Williamson College Of The Trades

5

A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State College Of Science one of the top schools for construction trades. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wahpeton. There were roughly 86 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State College Of Science in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $48,989 in their early career. North Dakota State College Of Science graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at North Dakota State College Of Science

6

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #6 for construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. About 171 construction trades degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $79,589 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete this degree. Get the full construction trades details for Fox Valley Technical College

7

Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 120 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Owensboro Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Owensboro Community And Technical College earn around $55,533 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,338. More information about a degree in construction trades from Owensboro Community And Technical College

8

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #8 for construction trades this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. About 103 construction trades degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Metropolitan Community College Area earn around $64,751 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,350 to complete this degree. Read more about the construction trades program at Metropolitan Community College Area

9
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. There were roughly 723 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $59,108 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,308 to complete this degree. Read more about the construction trades program at Ivy Tech Community College

10

Southeast Technical Institute landed the #10 spot for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 33 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $48,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in construction trades from Southeast Technical Institute

11

Highlands College Of Montana Tech came in at #11 for construction trades this year. Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public school located in the town of Butte. About 74 construction trades degrees were awarded at Highlands College Of Montana Tech in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Highlands College Of Montana Tech generally make around $58,838. Highlands College Of Montana Tech graduates carry a median of $2,750 in student loans. See the full construction trades program report for Highlands College Of Montana Tech

12

Utah Valley University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Utah Valley University awarded about 12 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $74,527 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,484. See the full construction trades program report for Utah Valley University

13

Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee placed #13 among the best construction trades schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Okmulgee. About 99 construction trades degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earn around $52,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete this degree. Get the full construction trades details for Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee

14

Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. About 86 construction trades degrees were awarded at Mitchell Technical Institute in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $41,440 early in their careers. Mitchell Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $10,964 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at Mitchell Technical Institute

15

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for construction trades this year. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Elizabethtown. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College awarded about 27 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $64,748 in their early career. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $6,950 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College

16

Northwest Iowa Community College placed #16 among the best construction trades schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sheldon. About 28 construction trades degrees were awarded at Northwest Iowa Community College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $78,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. More information about a degree in construction trades from Northwest Iowa Community College

17

Northeast Community College placed #17 among the best construction trades schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. There were roughly 95 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Northeast Community College earn around $41,383 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the construction trades program at Northeast Community College

18

Western Technical College La Cross placed #18 among the best construction trades schools. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. There were roughly 29 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Western Technical College La Cross earn around $43,008 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,669. Read more about the construction trades program at Western Technical College La Cross

19

Richmond Community College earned the #19 position for construction trades this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 19 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Richmond Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $73,774. Richmond Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at Richmond Community College

20

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #20 spot for construction trades this year. This small public university is located in the city of Lancaster. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology awarded about 117 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $37,260 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in construction trades from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology

21

Alpena Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 44 construction trades degrees were awarded at Alpena Community College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Alpena Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Get the full construction trades details for Alpena Community College

22

Flint Hills Technical College placed #22 among the best construction trades schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 15 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Flint Hills Technical College in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Flint Hills Technical College earn a median of $47,694 early in their careers. Flint Hills Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,690 in student loans. Get the full construction trades details for Flint Hills Technical College

23

Cabrillo College landed the #23 spot for construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. Cabrillo College awarded about 17 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $47,566 in their early career. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. More information about a degree in construction trades from Cabrillo College

24

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #24 spot for construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred awarded about 143 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $42,278 early in their careers. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full construction trades details for Suny College Of Technology At Alfred

25

Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #25 for construction trades this year. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. There were roughly 24 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Kansas Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $41,638 in their early career. More information about a degree in construction trades from Northwest Kansas Technical College

Rest of the Top 50 Construction Trades Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong construction trades education:

26
27
28
29
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
30
31
32
33
Ranken Technical College crest
Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO
34
35
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
36
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
37
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
38
39
40
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
41
42
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
50
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Additional Construction Trades Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for construction trades:

Rank School Location
#57 Bluegrass Community And Technical College Lexington, KY
#95 Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI

Other Construction Trades Degree Levels

Explore the best construction trades schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Construction Trades
Bachelor's Degrees in Construction Trades
Master's Degrees in Construction Trades
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View All Construction Trades Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 928 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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