2026 Best Value Plumbing Technology/Plumber Associate’s Degree Schools

[Plumbing Technology/Plumber](/majors/construction-trades/plumbing-and-water-supply/plumbing-technology-plumber/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 188 schools to find the best return on investment for plumbing technology/plumber students.
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2026 Best Value Plumbing Technology/Plumber Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plumbing technology/plumber, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plumbing Technology/Plumber Schools
For return on investment in plumbing technology/plumber, no school beat Central Maine Community College this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for plumbing technology/plumber graduates is $14,700. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned it the #2 place for plumbing technology/plumber. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates carry a median of $9,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plumbing technology/plumber degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $40,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Texas State Technical College one of the best values for plumbing technology/plumber. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Los Angeles Trade Technical College earned it the #4 place for plumbing technology/plumber. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Northern came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value plumbing technology/plumber schools. Set in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the plumbing technology/plumber program here. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates of Montana State University Northern earn a median of $50,896 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for plumbing technology/plumber value this year. Set in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,275. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the plumbing technology/plumber program here. Plumbing Technology/plumber graduates of New England Institute Of Technology earn a median of $40,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Other Plumbing Technology/Plumber Degree Levels
Explore the best-value plumbing technology/plumber schools at other degree levels:
View All Plumbing Technology/Plumber Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 188 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.