2026 Best Construction Trades Schools
Looking for the best Construction Trades programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 893 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Construction Trades Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Warren County Career Center to be the best Construction Trades school in the United States. Set in Lebanon, OH, Warren County Career Center is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $8,679 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Warren County Career Center profile
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #3 on this year's Construction Trades ranking in the United States. Located in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Iowa Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. More on Northwest Iowa Community College
The strong Construction Trades programs at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $21,241. More on North Hennepin Community College
Ivy Tech Community College placed #6 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Graduates carry a median of $7,308 in student loans. Read the full report on Ivy Tech Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #7 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full Chippewa Valley Technical College report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $21,700. Read more about The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,225. Read more about Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
North American Trade Schools ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. This private for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. North American Trade Schools Construction Trades students take on a median of $10,392 in debt. Read more about North American Trade Schools
Des Moines Area Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Ankeny, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. The median Construction Trades program debt is $14,956. More on Des Moines Area Community College
Perry Technical Institute placed #13 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Yakima, WA, Perry Technical Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Perry Technical Institute Construction Trades students take on a median of $17,860 in debt. Get the full Perry Technical Institute report
Lansing Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lansing, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. See the full Lansing Community College profile
Brookdale Community College placed #15 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read the full report on Brookdale Community College
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Branchburg, NJ, Raritan Valley Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Raritan Valley Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,668 in debt. Read more about Raritan Valley Community College
Texas State Technical College placed #17 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Texas State Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,923 in debt. See the full Texas State Technical College profile
Mid Eastctc Adult Education ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Zanesville, OH, Mid Eastctc Adult Education is a public institution. Mid Eastctc Adult Education Construction Trades students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Read more about Mid Eastctc Adult Education
Advanced Training Institute did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private for-profit school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $7,600. See the full Advanced Training Institute profile
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a public school based in Trinidad, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Trinidad State Junior College Construction Trades students take on a median of $3,588 in debt. See the full Trinidad State Junior College profile
Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah placed #21 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah is a private for-profit school based in Mahwah, NJ. The median Construction Trades program debt is $13,875. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah report
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District placed #22 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Chillicothe, OH, Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District is a public institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. More on Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District
Bismarck State College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Bismarck State College is a public school based in Bismarck, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Bismarck State College Construction Trades students take on a median of $6,666 in debt. Read the full report on Bismarck State College
Utah Valley University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Utah Valley University Construction Trades students take on a median of $14,484 in debt. See the full Utah Valley University profile
Reading Area Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Reading, PA, Reading Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Read the full report on Reading Area Community College
Lincoln Technical Institute Union ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Union, NJ, Lincoln Technical Institute Union is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $13,875 in student loans. See the full Lincoln Technical Institute Union profile
Pierpont Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,660. Graduates carry a median of $16,268 in student loans. Read the full report on Pierpont Community And Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Construction Trades Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,389. Graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Read more about Rochester Community And Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Fond du Lac, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. More on Moraine Park Technical College
Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk placed #30 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Seekonk, MA. Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,262 in debt. See the full Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk profile
Michigan State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. The median Construction Trades program debt is $25,213. Read more about Michigan State University
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Shelton, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $13,532. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. The median Construction Trades program debt is $10,683. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain placed #34 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in New Britain, CT. The median Construction Trades program debt is $16,695. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain report
Tidewater Tech Trades came in at #35 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Norfolk, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,337. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Tidewater Tech Trades
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Sioux City, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. The median Construction Trades program debt is $11,886. See the full Western Iowa Tech Community College profile
Linn State Technical College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Linn, MO, Linn State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More on Linn State Technical College
Cet Salinas ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Cet Salinas is a private not-for-profit school based in Salinas, CA. Students borrow a median of $6,211 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Cet Salinas report
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Graduates carry a median of $18,423 in student loans. Read more about Dunwoody College Of Technology
Lamson Institute ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in San Antonio, TX, Lamson Institute is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $8,867. Read more about Lamson Institute
Mesa State College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. Read the full report on Mesa State College
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fergus Falls, MN, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. More on Minnesota State Community And Technical College
Institute For Business And Technology placed #44 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in San Jose, CA, Institute For Business And Technology is a private for-profit institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $8,867. Read the full report on Institute For Business And Technology
Northern Michigan University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Marquette, MI, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about Northern Michigan University
Southeast Community College Area placed #46 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $14,935. Read the full report on Southeast Community College Area
Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg did well this year, earning the #47 position. This private for-profit school is set in Greensburg, PA. Students from in state pay about $18,413 in tuition and fees. Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg Construction Trades students take on a median of $17,583 in debt. Read the full report on Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Granite Falls, MN, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. The median Construction Trades program debt is $11,089. Get the full Minnesota West Community And Technical College report
Northeast Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Northeast Community College is a public school based in Norfolk, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. The median Construction Trades program debt is $12,000. Read the full report on Northeast Community College
Southern California Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Anaheim, CA, Southern California Institute Of Technology is a private for-profit institution. Southern California Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,515. The median Construction Trades program debt is $10,270. More on Southern California Institute Of Technology
Atlantic Technical College placed #51 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,222 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Atlantic Technical College
Washburn Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #52 position. Set in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Washburn Institute Of Technology
Cet San Diego came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Cet San Diego is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Graduates carry a median of $6,425 in student loans. See the full Cet San Diego profile
Best Construction Trades Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Construction Trades Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 893 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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