by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 construction students.
What’s on this page:
The construction program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Construction Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Construction Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in construction in the United States. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $5,500. Early-career construction graduates make about $12,838. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wytheville Community College earned it the #2 place for construction. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Construction graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $40,973. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Triton College one of the best values for construction. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Construction graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction 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 construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $37,936. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palau Community College earned it the #5 place for construction. Palau Community College is a public school based in Koror, PW. In-state tuition and fees average $3,730, with out-of-state students paying around $3,970. Median earnings reach $29,898 ten years out.
Honolulu Community College landed the #6 spot for construction value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the construction program here. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $86,741. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #7 spot for construction value this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $13,715. Construction graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #8 among the best values for construction. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $4,550. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $5,500. Construction graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $45,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #9 spot for construction value this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $11,262. Construction graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College placed #10 among the best values for construction. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $7,875. Early-career construction graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #11 for value in construction this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Construction graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #12 spot for construction value this year. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $7,944. Construction graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $47,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value construction schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt Hood Community College landed the #14 spot for construction value this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $18,767. Construction graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $53,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #15 among the best values for construction. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $12,290. Construction graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
College Of The Ouachitas landed the #16 spot for construction value this year. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, while out-of-state students pay about $4,388. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Southwest Texas Junior College came in at #17 for value in construction this year. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the construction program here. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College came in at #18 for value in construction this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #19 among the best values for construction. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Construction graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Construction graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #20 among the best values for construction. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Construction graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #21 for value in construction 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. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $52,354. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Mid State Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value construction schools. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $11,626. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College landed the #23 spot for construction value this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Construction graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College came in at #24 for value in construction 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $38,948. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
Vincennes University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value construction schools. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Construction graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Construction graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for construction this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Construction. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Construction Trades | 2,560 |
View All Construction Concentrations >
The ranking above is published 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.