2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Great Lakes 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Leading the list is Alpena Community College, our #1 best value for construction trades in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for construction trades. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $12,838. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $17,616. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,236. Construction Trades graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Lansing Community College came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,700. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $61,776. Set against $7,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,875. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #16 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College placed #17 among the best values for construction trades. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $41,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #19 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #20 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College placed #21 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,960. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #22 spot for construction trades value this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #23 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #24 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $34,029. Set against $6,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #25 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,997. Construction Trades graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $31,061 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s construction trades value ranking:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
More Construction Trades Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
