2026 Best Construction Trades Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Construction Trades certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 893 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than North Hennepin Community College this year in the United States. This public school is set in Brooklyn Park, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. North Hennepin Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. More on North Hennepin Community College
Out of the 893 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #2 spot. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Lansing Community College came in at #4 on this year's Construction Trades ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Lansing, MI. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. More on Lansing Community College
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on this year's Construction Trades ranking in the United States. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Graduates carry a median of $7,308 in student loans. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Graduates carry a median of $5,225 in student loans. See the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College profile
Advanced Training Institute ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Las Vegas, NV, Advanced Training Institute is a private for-profit institution. Advanced Training Institute Construction Trades students take on a median of $7,600 in debt. Get the full Advanced Training Institute report
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a public school based in Trinidad, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $3,588. Read more about Trinidad State Junior College
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chillicothe, OH, Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District is a public institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. Get the full Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District report
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Fond du Lac, WI, Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. Get the full Moraine Park Technical College report
Mid Eastctc Adult Education came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Zanesville, OH. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. See the full Mid Eastctc Adult Education profile
Western Iowa Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school based in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Western Iowa Tech Community College profile
Tidewater Tech Trades landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Norfolk, VA, Tidewater Tech Trades is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,337 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Tidewater Tech Trades
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Washburn Institute Of Technology Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. More on Washburn Institute Of Technology
Cet Salinas did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Salinas, CA, Cet Salinas is a private not-for-profit institution. Cet Salinas Construction Trades students take on a median of $6,211 in debt. See the full Cet Salinas profile
Institute For Business And Technology did well this year, earning the #16 position. 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. More on Institute For Business And Technology
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a public school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $6,974 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College report
Minnesota West Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Granite Falls, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,491. The median Construction Trades program debt is $11,089. Read the full report on Minnesota West Community And Technical College
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Students borrow a median of $10,683 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
Mesa State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. Mesa State College graduates 47% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. More on Mesa State College
North Georgia Technical College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Clarkesville, GA, North Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $12,279. Read more about North Georgia Technical College
National Career Education came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Citrus Heights, CA, National Career Education is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,867 in student loans. Read more about National Career Education
Summit College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in San Bernardino, CA, Summit College is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $7,600. See the full Summit College profile
Augusta Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Augusta, GA, Augusta Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Augusta Technical College
Tulsa Technology Center placed #25 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tulsa, OK. Tulsa Technology Center Construction Trades students take on a median of $11,384 in debt. Get the full Tulsa Technology Center report
Adult And Continuing Education Bcts landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hackensack, NJ, Adult And Continuing Education Bcts is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $6,179 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Adult And Continuing Education Bcts profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Construction Trades Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Richmond Community College placed #27 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Richmond Community College is a public school based in Hamlet, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Richmond Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. More on Richmond Community College
Wake Technical Community College placed #28 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $11,784. Get the full Wake Technical Community College report
Honolulu Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Honolulu Community College profile
Texas State Technical College placed #30 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Texas State Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,923 in debt. See the full Texas State Technical College profile
East Mississippi Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Scooba, MS, East Mississippi Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. More on East Mississippi Community College
Ehove Career Center landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Milan, OH, Ehove Career Center is a public institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $6,333. Read the full report on Ehove Career Center
Berk Trade And Business School ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Long Island City, NY, Berk Trade And Business School is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $6,333. Read more about Berk Trade And Business School
Orleans Technical Institute came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Orleans Technical Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. The median Construction Trades program debt is $7,521. Read more about Orleans Technical Institute
Cet Watsonville placed #35 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in Watsonville, CA, Cet Watsonville is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $6,425. More on Cet Watsonville
Anoka Technical College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Anoka Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $12,850 in debt. See the full Anoka Technical College profile
Manhattan Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,844. Graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Read the full report on Manhattan Area Technical College
Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville 1750 Southside Blvd ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville 1750 Southside Blvd is a private for-profit school based in Jacksonville, FL. Graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Read the full report on Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville 1750 Southside Blvd
Lake Superior College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Duluth, MN. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read the full report on Lake Superior College
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Conway, SC, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Horry Georgetown Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Ogeechee Technical College is a public school based in Statesboro, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. The median Construction Trades program debt is $11,894. More on Ogeechee Technical College
South Louisiana Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,210. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $7,409. Get the full South Louisiana Community College report
Ranken Technical College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 31% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Students borrow a median of $6,712 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Ranken Technical College
Central Louisiana Technical Community College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Alexandria, LA, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,363 for out-of-state students. Central Louisiana Technical Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $8,625 in debt. More on Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,350 in student loans. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Area
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Big Sandy Community And Technical College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Prestonsburg, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. The median Construction Trades program debt is $9,625. Read more about Big Sandy Community And Technical College
National Career Institute did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in East Orange, NJ, National Career Institute is a private for-profit institution. National Career Institute Construction Trades students take on a median of $6,756 in debt. Get the full National Career Institute report
Atlanta Technical College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Trades program debt is $10,646. Read the full report on Atlanta Technical College
Southwestern Illinois College did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in Belleville, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. See the full Southwestern Illinois College profile
Red Rocks Community College ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Lakewood, CO, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $14,471. See the full Red Rocks Community College profile
Related Construction Trades Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Construction Trades Schools (All Levels)
- 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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.