by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Riverland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in Minnesota. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Construction Trades graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $47,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,737. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Ridgewater College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,852. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,030. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $39,258. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Students borrow a median of $11,089 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,615. That is a strong return on a $11,089 median debt.
Northwest Technical College came in at #7 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,254. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Technical College earn a median of $44,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $39,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $66,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,974 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $58,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $41,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $20,291. Construction Trades graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Lake Superior College landed the #15 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College placed #16 among the best values for construction trades. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,850 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,686. That is a strong return on a $12,850 median debt.
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,322 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $28,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,477. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,423 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $47,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.