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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest Region

3 Colleges in the United States
6,053 Construction Trades Degrees Awarded
$40,226 Avg Early-Career Salary

Construction Trades is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 111 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best construction trades schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Construction Trades in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall construction trades education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Construction Trades

1

Texas State Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best construction trades schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. About 631 construction trades degrees were awarded at Texas State Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $66,521. Students borrow a median of $9,923 to complete this degree. See the full construction trades program report for Texas State Technical College

2

Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Okmulgee. There were roughly 99 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $52,354 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,356. Get the full construction trades details for Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee

3
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Lone Star College System awarded about 231 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $39,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in construction trades from Lone Star College System

4

A rank of #4 makes Mesa Community College one of the top schools for construction trades. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 314 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Get the full construction trades details for Mesa Community College

5
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Lee College awarded about 43 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $53,448 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete this degree. Get the full construction trades details for Lee College

6

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #6 spot for construction trades this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 90 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $71,202 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,700. See the full construction trades program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

7

Central Texas College earned the #7 position for construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. About 55 construction trades degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Central Texas College earn around $53,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in construction trades from Central Texas College

8

San Jacinto Community College placed #8 among the best construction trades schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 182 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,376. See the full construction trades program report for San Jacinto Community College

9
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College landed the #9 spot for construction trades this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Brazosport College awarded about 45 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625. See the full construction trades program report for Brazosport College

10

Rio Salado College earned the #10 position for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. There were roughly 145 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Rio Salado College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in construction trades from Rio Salado College

11

Arizona Western College landed the #11 spot for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. About 256 construction trades degrees were awarded at Arizona Western College in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Arizona Western College earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full construction trades details for Arizona Western College

12

Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. There were roughly 24 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Lamar Institute Of Technology earn around $50,068 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete this degree. See the full construction trades program report for Lamar Institute Of Technology

13

Austin Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best construction trades schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 42 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Austin Community College District earn around $38,268 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $15,624 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at Austin Community College District

14

Collin County Community College District placed #14 among the best construction trades schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. About 69 construction trades degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $42,177 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,716. More information about a degree in construction trades from Collin County Community College District

15

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #15 position for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 139 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $34,751 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,112. Read more about the construction trades program at Central New Mexico Community College

16

Western Texas College earned the #16 position for construction trades this year. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. Western Texas College awarded about 26 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Typical student debt for the program is $8,691. Read more about the construction trades program at Western Texas College

17
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College came in at #17 for construction trades this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 163 construction trades degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $45,185 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete this degree. See the full construction trades program report for St Philips College

18

Central Arizona College placed #18 among the best construction trades schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. About 109 construction trades degrees were awarded at Central Arizona College in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Central Arizona College earn around $48,826 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete this degree. Read more about the construction trades program at Central Arizona College

19

The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #19 for construction trades this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. There were roughly 58 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Brownsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete this degree. Read more about the construction trades program at The University Of Texas At Brownsville

20

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #20 for construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 42 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Texas Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Northeast Texas Community College earn around $37,839 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Texas Community College graduates carry a median of $15,089 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at Northeast Texas Community College

21
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College landed the #21 spot for construction trades this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. About 51 construction trades degrees were awarded at South Plains College in the most recent year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from South Plains College earn around $30,949 in the first couple years of their career. South Plains College graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Read more about the construction trades program at South Plains College

22
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #22 for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 64 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Yavapai College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Yavapai College earn around $52,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete this degree. Get the full construction trades details for Yavapai College

23

Pima Community College earned the #23 position for construction trades this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Pima Community College awarded about 48 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Typical student debt for the program is $10,655. Get the full construction trades details for Pima Community College

24
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College placed #24 among the best construction trades schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. El Centro College awarded about 57 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Typical student debt for the program is $14,557. Get the full construction trades details for El Centro College

25
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #25 spot for construction trades this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. About 43 construction trades degrees were awarded at Del Mar College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Typical student debt for the program is $7,476. See the full construction trades program report for Del Mar College

Rest of the Top 50 Construction Trades Schools

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

26
27
28
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
29
30
31
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Metro Technology Centers crest
Metro Technology Centers
Oklahoma City, OK
45
46
47
Lamson Institute crest
Lamson Institute
San Antonio, TX
48
49
50

Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State

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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. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 111 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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