2027 Best Value Construction Associate’s Degree Schools
[Construction](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction students.
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2027 Best Value Construction Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Schools
Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for construction in the United States. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Construction graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $12,838. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Triton College earned it the #2 place for construction. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction will find it at Palau Community College, which ranked #3. Palau Community College is a public school based in Koror, PW. Students from in state pay about $3,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,970 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,898.
Students looking for strong value in construction will find it at Honolulu Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $86,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for construction. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Mt Hood Community College earned the #6 position for value in construction this year. Located in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $18,767. Early-career construction graduates make about $53,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #7 for value in construction 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Construction graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. 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.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for construction. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the construction program here. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #9 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. Students from in state pay about $5,774 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $52,354. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College placed #10 among the best values for construction. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Construction graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Construction graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value construction schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $22,310. Construction graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College landed the #12 spot for construction value this year. Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $21,356. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College generally make around $31,807. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia came in at #13 for value in construction this year. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Visalia. Construction graduates carry a median of $16,957 in student loans. Construction graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn a median of $45,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,957 median debt.
Charter College Anchorage came in at #14 for value in construction this year. 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 construction graduates is $13,862. Construction graduates of Charter College Anchorage earn a median of $52,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,862 median debt.
Other Construction Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Construction rankings across degree levels:
View All Construction Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
- 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.
