[Plumbing & Water Supply](/majors/construction-trades/plumbing-and-water-supply/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong plumbing & water supply education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 92 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for plumbing & water supply students.
Finding the Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply School for You
The right plumbing & water supply school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in plumbing & water supply, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plumbing & water supply degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plumbing & water supply, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plumbing & water supply, landing the #3 spot this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes St Philips College one of the best values for plumbing & water supply. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $15,653. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, plumbing & water supply degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $44,346. That is a strong return on a $13,917 median debt.
Ogden Weber Technical College earned the #7 position for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Ogden Weber Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Ogden. Students borrow a median of $8,833 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $34,308. That is a strong return on a $8,833 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $7,427 in student loans. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $82,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College placed #9 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $11,595. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College came in at #10 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #11 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus placed #12 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,769 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $40,090. Set against $11,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #13 position for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $14,105. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #14 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #15 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgerland Technical College came in at #17 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $12,000. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Bridgerland Technical College earn a median of $28,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #18 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Soon after graduation, plumbing & water supply degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $11,362. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,362 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #21 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Technology Center landed the #22 spot for plumbing & water supply value this year. Set in the rural area of Drumright, Central Technology Center is a small public institution. Median earnings reach $36,351 ten years out.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #23 spot for plumbing & water supply value this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #24 spot for plumbing & water supply value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #25 among the best values for plumbing & water supply. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for plumbing & water supply this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 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).
[Plumbing & Water Supply](/majors/construction-trades/plumbing-and-water-supply/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong plumbing & water supply education at a price that pays off.
