2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Virginia
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
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2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Wytheville Community College this year. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,542. Construction Trades graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,074 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $40,070 early in their careers. Set against $11,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,715. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #6 position for value in construction trades this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,490 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $36,340. Set against $7,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Danville Community College placed #8 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $62,468 early in their careers. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College earned the #9 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,384 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Tidewater Community College placed #12 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $36,232. Set against $7,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,768. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Centura College Norfolk ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Centura College Norfolk is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $16,637 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Centura College Norfolk generally make around $20,928. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
