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2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

152 Colleges
$6,011 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$38,184 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Construction Trades School for You

Construction Trades is the #35 most popular major in the country with 35,794 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Construction Trades Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 152 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for construction trades students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the United States

Check out the construction trades programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 15% Best Construction Trades Schools

#1

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, MN

Our 2023 rankings named North Hennepin Community College the best value school in the United States for construction trades students. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Hennepin Community College are $4,882 a year. On average, construction trades graduates from North Hennepin Community College take out $15,125 in student loans while working on their degree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Hennepin Community College also did well on our Best Construction Trades Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Construction Trades at North Hennepin Community College Report

$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Southeast Community College Area helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in the United States. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,780 per year.

Read More…

#3

Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools list. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Western Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,687 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that construction trades majors at Western Technical College take out is $5,500.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Western Technical College

The excellent programs at Northwest Iowa Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in the United States. Located in the rural area of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest Iowa Community College are $6,840 per year. After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from Northwest Iowa Community College carry an average student debtload of $9,033.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northwest Iowa Community College also is in the top 10% of our Best Construction Trades Schools ranking.

Full Construction Trades at Northwest Iowa Community College Report

$4,826 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Sioux City.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,826 per year.

Read More…

Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for construction trades students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the small city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from CVTC carry an average student debtload of $6,267.

CVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Construction Trades Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Chippewa Valley Technical College

Rochester Community and Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Located in the midsize city of Rochester, Rochester Community and Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,372 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rochester Community and Technical College also is in the top 15% of our Best Construction Trades Schools ranking.

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Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Southwest Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Fennimore.

Southwest Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from Southwest Tech carry an average student debtload of $5,500.

Southwest Tech also claimed a spot on our Best Construction Trades Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

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$5,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Northeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk.

Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,010 in tuition and fees each year. On average, construction trades graduates from Northeast take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Construction Trades at Northeast Community College Report

$6,912 Average Tuition & Fees

Raritan Valley Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, RVCC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at RVCC are $6,912 a year.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Raritan Valley Community College

$6,631 Average Tuition & Fees

Trinidad State Junior College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Trinidad State Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Trinidad.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Trinidad State Junior College are $6,631 a year.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Trinidad State Junior College

#12

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value construction trades programs. BSC is a small public school located in the city of Bismarck.

BSC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,930 in tuition and fees each year. On average, construction trades graduates from BSC take out $7,830 in student loans while working on their degree.

In addition to its great value ranking, BSC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Construction Trades Schools list.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Bismarck State College

#13

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, WI

Moraine Park Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value construction trades programs. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in the small city of Fond du Lac.

Moraine Park Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that construction trades majors at Moraine Park Technical College take out is $4,000.

Moraine Park Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Construction Trades Schools list.

Full Construction Trades at Moraine Park Technical College Report

#14

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for construction trades students. It came in at #14 on the list. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 per year. On average, construction trades graduates from Ivy Tech Community College take out $8,666 in student loans while working on their degree.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ivy Tech Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Construction Trades Schools ranking.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Ivy Tech Community College

#15

North Georgia Technical College

Clarkesville, GA
$5,422 Average Tuition & Fees

North Georgia Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools list. North Georgia Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Georgia Technical College are $5,422 per year.

Read More…

$5,862 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for construction trades students. M State is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Fergus Falls.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at M State are $5,862 a year. While working on their degree, construction trades majors at M State accumulate an average of around $5,500 in student debt.

Full Construction Trades at Minnesota State Community and Technical College Report

With a ranking of #17, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for construction trades students. Located in the large city of Omaha, MCC is a public college with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from MCC carry an average student debtload of $15,222.

Read More…

$5,632 Average Tuition & Fees

Augusta Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for construction trades students. It came in at #18 on the list. Augusta Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Augusta.

Augusta Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,632 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, construction trades majors at Augusta Technical College accumulate an average of around $7,922 in student debt.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Augusta Technical College

With a ranking of #19, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for construction trades students. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in the city of Saint Cloud.

St Cloud Technical and Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,874 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, construction trades majors at St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of around $6,340 in student debt.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, St Cloud Technical and Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Construction Trades Schools ranking.

Read More…

#20

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools list. Ridgewater College is a small public school located in the town of Willmar.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ridgewater College are $5,914 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Ridgewater College also did well on our Best Construction Trades Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Construction Trades at Ridgewater College

#21

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, SD

Mitchell Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Construction Trades Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Mitchell, Mitchell Tech is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mitchell Tech are $7,524 per year. On average, construction trades graduates from Mitchell Tech take out $9,667 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $156, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Mitchell Tech excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Construction Trades Schools list.

Full Construction Trades at Mitchell Technical College Report

Dakota County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for construction trades students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, DCTC is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at DCTC are $6,208 a year. Construction Trades majors at DCTC take out an average of $12,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, DCTC also is in the top 20% of our Best Construction Trades Schools ranking.

Full Construction Trades at Dakota County Technical College Report

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Construction Trades Schools award.

Rank College Location
23 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
24 Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN
25 South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LA
26 Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LA
27 Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown, SD
28 Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJ
29 Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MN
30 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA

Construction Trades by Region

View the Best Value Construction Trades Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Construction Trades Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Electrical & Power Transmission Installers 23,527
Building Management & Inspection 4,511
Carpentry 3,273
Plumbing & Water Supply 2,617
Construction 1,435
Masonry 274
Other Construction 157

Related Major Annual Graduates
Personal & Culinary Services 130,328
Mechanic & Repair Technologies 96,336
Precision Production 52,913
Transportation & Materials Moving 29,084

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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.

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