by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bismarck State College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in North Dakota. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,666. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $52,959. That is a strong return on a $6,666 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State College Of Science earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,706. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $48,989. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.