2027 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools
[General Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/construction-trades-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for general construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value General Construction Trades School for You
The general construction trades program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Construction Trades Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Construction Trades Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Construction Trades Schools
Lake Land College tops our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $12,838. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wytheville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $40,973. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Triton College earned it the #3 place for general construction trades. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general construction trades will find it at Columbus Technical College, which ranked #4. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palau Community College earned it the #5 place for general construction trades. Palau Community College is a public school based in Koror, PW. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,730, while out-of-state students pay about $3,970. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,898 ten years after entry.
Honolulu Community College placed #6 among the best values for general construction trades. Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $86,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #7 position for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #8 position for value in general construction trades this year. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $45,190. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College earned the #9 position for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #10 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #12 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $47,773. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #13 among the best values for general construction trades. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $15,866. General Construction Trades graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt Hood Community College earned the #14 position for value in general construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $53,948. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #15 spot for general construction trades value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ouachitas came in at #16 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,374.
Southwest Texas Junior College came in at #17 for value in general construction trades this year. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $25,528. That is a strong return on a $7,157 median debt.
Arizona Western College placed #18 among the best values for general construction trades. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. General Construction Trades graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #19 for value in general construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee placed #21 among the best values for general construction trades. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades 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.
Mid State Technical College came in at #22 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Portland Community College earned the #23 position for value in general construction trades this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $49,580. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
North Arkansas College earned the #24 position for value in general construction trades this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $38,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University came in at #25 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $14,506. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general construction trades this year:
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General Construction Trades is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
