2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in New York
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in New York
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 Hudson Valley Community College, our #1 best value for construction trades in New York. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $11,973 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,095. That is a strong return on a $11,973 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,710 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,710 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,373. Set against $11,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Construction Trades graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $42,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Erie 1 Boces came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of West Seneca, Erie 1 Boces is a small public institution. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,600. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Erie 1 Boces generally make around $30,190. That is a strong return on a $11,600 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton placed #6 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $46,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,640 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Liverpool, Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,233 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces earn a median of $24,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,233 median debt.
Berk Trade And Business School ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Berk Trade And Business School is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Berk Trade And Business School earn a median of $28,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,333 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $48,647. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Apex Technical School came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Apex Technical School is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Apex Technical School earn a median of $30,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Lincoln Technical Institute Whitestone ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Whitestone, Lincoln Technical Institute Whitestone is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,560 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Lincoln Technical Institute Whitestone earn a median of $32,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,560 median debt.
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades 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 · 21 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.
