2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Illinois
[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 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $12,838 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Triton College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,994. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rock Valley College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Prairie State College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,500. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $6,974 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $107,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,974 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Illinois College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
Heartland Community College placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hvac Technical Institute came in at #15 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Hvac Technical Institute is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,861 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Hvac Technical Institute earn a median of $32,208 early in their careers.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. 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. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $31,807. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Melrose Park, Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,695 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Lincoln College Of Technology Melrose Park earn a median of $38,050 early in their careers. Set against $16,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
