2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Iowa
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Iowa
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
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,556 early in their careers. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Marshalltown Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,837. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,135. Construction Trades graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,779. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Southwestern Community College Creston, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $34,421. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #8 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $78,118 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
