2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Missouri

[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 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Missouri
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
Our analysis ranked Ozarks Technical Community College the best value for a degree in construction trades in Missouri. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $62,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Linn State Technical College, which ranked #2. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $54,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ranken Technical College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Students borrow a median of $6,712 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $43,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central Career Center earned it the #4 place for construction trades. South Central Career Center is a small public school located in the town of West Plains. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of South Central Career Center earn a median of $36,556 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Construction Trades Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.