2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Colorado
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinidad State Junior College the best value for a degree in construction trades in Colorado. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $3,588. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $73,424. Set against $3,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Pickens Technical College one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,140, while out-of-state students pay about $9,250. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Pickens Technical College earn a median of $35,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Emily Griffith Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Denver, Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $8,256 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,412. Set against $8,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aims Community College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Otero Junior College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,759. Construction Trades graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $66,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt.
Front Range Community College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,414. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
Mesa State College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,330. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Intellitec College Grand Junction earned the #9 position for value in construction trades this year. Intellitec College Grand Junction is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Grand Junction. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,767 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $26,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Intellitec College Colorado Springs placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Intellitec College Colorado Springs is a small private for-profit institution. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $29,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln College Of Technology Denver landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Lincoln College Of Technology Denver is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,386. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $39,207. That is a strong return on a $12,386 median debt.
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
