2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Far Western Region
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction trades education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 142 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Sequoias, our #1 best value for construction trades in the Far Western Region. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for construction trades. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the construction trades program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the construction trades program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Citrus College came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Bates Technical College earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Clover Park Technical College placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Renton Technical College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,978. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Chabot College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Honolulu Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $86,741 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College came in at #20 for value in construction trades this year. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College earned the #21 position for value in construction trades this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $5,383 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $66,921 early in their careers. Set against $5,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College placed #24 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #25 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for construction trades this year:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
More Construction Trades Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
