2026 Best Value Lineworker Associate’s Degree Schools
[Lineworker](/majors/construction-trades/electrical-power-transmission-installers/lineworker/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong lineworker education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 92 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for lineworker students.
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2026 Best Value Lineworker Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in lineworker, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Lineworker Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for lineworker in the United States. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,350 to complete the lineworker program here. Lineworker graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $64,751 early in their careers. Set against $12,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $6,500. Lineworker graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Lansing Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $16,700. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #4 place for lineworker. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,262 to complete the lineworker program here. Lineworker graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $80,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,262 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in lineworker will find it at Hudson Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $11,973 to complete the lineworker program here. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $49,095. That is a strong return on a $11,973 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Lineworker graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $46,119 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in lineworker this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $15,866. Lineworker graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $62,177 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College earned the #8 position for value in lineworker this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $59,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College came in at #9 for value in lineworker this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the lineworker program here. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $11,668 to complete the lineworker program here. Lineworker graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $76,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $12,947 in student loans. Lineworker graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $53,566 early in their careers. Set against $12,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $50,776. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $52,354. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $47,723. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #15 spot for lineworker value this year. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the lineworker program here. Lineworker graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $78,118 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the lineworker program here. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Mitchell Technical Institute generally make around $49,794. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Linn State Technical College landed the #17 spot for lineworker value this year. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the lineworker program here. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $54,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manchester Community College Nh ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Located in the city of Manchester, Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,090, while out-of-state students pay about $15,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,063 ten years after entry.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi landed the #19 spot for lineworker value this year. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,772, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the lineworker program here. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $48,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
Other Lineworker Degree Levels
Explore the best-value lineworker schools at other degree levels:
View All Lineworker Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
