2027 Best Construction Trades Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Construction Trades programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools to find the best for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Construction Trades in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall construction trades education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Construction Trades
No school ranked higher than Chippewa Valley Technical College this year for construction trades. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 78 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Chippewa Valley Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. There were roughly 171 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Moraine Park Technical College earn around $41,051 in the first couple years of their career. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
See the full construction trades program report for Moraine Park Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in construction trades, ranking #3. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. There were roughly 159 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $79,589 early in their careers. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans.
See the full construction trades program report for Fox Valley Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in construction trades, ranking #4. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 60 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn around $53,024 in the first couple years of their career. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $5,225 in student loans.
See the full construction trades program report for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best construction trades schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. About 190 construction trades degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $31,061 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree.
Get the full construction trades details for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Michigan State University landed the #6 spot for construction trades this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 14 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,107. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans.
Get the full construction trades details for Michigan State University
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best construction trades schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. About 1,890 construction trades degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $61,776 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,308.
Read more about the construction trades program at Ivy Tech Community College
Northern Michigan University earned the #8 position for construction trades this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Northern Michigan University awarded about 24 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Northern Michigan University earn around $53,242 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the construction trades program at Northern Michigan University
Alpena Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best construction trades schools. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Alpena Community College graduates 100% of students within six years. Alpena Community College awarded about 103 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Alpena Community College earn around $45,132 in the first couple years of their career. Alpena Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Alpena Community College
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #10 position for construction trades this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Janesville. Blackhawk Technical College awarded about 29 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,715.
Read more about the construction trades program at Blackhawk Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #11 for construction trades this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Waukesha County Technical College awarded about 155 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Waukesha County Technical College earn around $46,398 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,595.
Read more about the construction trades program at Waukesha County Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #12 position for construction trades this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49 construction trades degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $35,981 in their early career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Northcentral Technical College landed the #13 spot for construction trades this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. About 30 construction trades degrees were awarded at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans.
See the full construction trades program report for Northcentral Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross placed #14 among the best construction trades schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 15 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $43,008 in their early career. Western Technical College La Cross graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Western Technical College La Cross
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #15 spot for construction trades this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College awarded about 622 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $33,326 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
See the full construction trades program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for construction trades this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 166 construction trades degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete this degree.
See the full construction trades program report for Milwaukee Area Technical College
Madison Area Technical College earned the #17 position for construction trades this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 72 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $44,279 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree.
Read more about the construction trades program at Madison Area Technical College
Mid State Technical College earned the #18 position for construction trades this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. There were roughly 70 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Mid State Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their construction trades degree from Mid State Technical College earn around $41,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,626.
See the full construction trades program report for Mid State Technical College
Kaskaskia College landed the #19 spot for construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 60 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Kaskaskia College in the most recent data year. Construction Trades graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete this degree.
Get the full construction trades details for Kaskaskia College
Mchenry County College landed the #20 spot for construction trades this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. There were roughly 13 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $24,177 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,440.
Get the full construction trades details for Mchenry County College
Lansing Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best construction trades schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. There were roughly 65 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Lansing Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $46,103 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700.
Read more about the construction trades program at Lansing Community College
Gateway Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best construction trades schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. About 36 construction trades degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Gateway Technical College
Illinois Valley Community College placed #23 among the best construction trades schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. About 38 construction trades degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Illinois Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Illinois Valley Community College
Rock Valley College placed #24 among the best construction trades schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rockford. About 34 construction trades degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Construction Trades graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Rock Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans.
Read more about the construction trades program at Rock Valley College
Heartland Community College earned the #25 position for construction trades this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. There were roughly 12 construction trades students who graduated with this degree at Heartland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the construction trades program make about $48,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,266.
More information about a degree in construction trades from Heartland Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Construction Trades Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s construction trades ranking:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.
- 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.
