by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/construction-trades-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general construction trades education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among general construction trades schools in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $5,500. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $12,838. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general construction trades will find it at Triton College, which ranked #2. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. 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 #3 place for general construction trades. Located in Koror, PW, Palau Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,730, compared with $3,970 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,898 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Honolulu Community College one of the best values for general construction trades. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general construction trades will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Mt Hood Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #7 spot for general construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $12,290. General Construction Trades graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #9 spot for general construction trades value this year. Set in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earn a median of $52,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Linn State Technical College placed #10 among the best values for general construction trades. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College earned the #11 position for value in general construction trades this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earned the #12 position for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $31,807 early in their careers. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia placed #13 among the best values for general construction trades. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Visalia. Students borrow a median of $16,957 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $45,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charter College Anchorage ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Located in the city of Anchorage, Charter College Anchorage is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,341. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $13,862. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Charter College Anchorage generally make around $52,820. That is a strong return on a $13,862 median debt.
Explore the best-value general construction trades schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.