2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 111 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest 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
Brazosport College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico 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 Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Western Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $20,150. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,635. Construction Trades graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
San Juan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
St Philips College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #12 among the best values for construction trades. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,542. Construction Trades graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #13 spot for construction trades value this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College came in at #15 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,624. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $38,268. Set against $15,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Central Texas College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Yavapai College came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #20 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $18,726. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,580. That is a strong return on a $18,726 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $19,223. Construction Trades graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Western Technology Center came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,264.
Wes Watkins Technology Center placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Wes Watkins Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Wetumka. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,421.
South Plains College came in at #24 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Meridian Technology Center came in at #25 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Meridian Technology Center generally make around $61,765.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in construction trades:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 111 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.
