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Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California

2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

20 Colleges
$10,214 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,412 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Construction Trades School for You

Construction Trades is the #37 most popular major in California with 251 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 20 schools in California to see which programs offered the best value experiences for construction trades students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top 15% Best Construction Trades Schools

$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Los Angeles Trade Technical College to be the best value school for construction trades students who want to pursue a degree in California. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,238 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from Los Angeles Trade Technical College carry an average student debtload of $11,100.

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$19,190 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Southern California Institute of Technology helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in California. Southern California Institute of Technology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim.

Southern California Institute of Technology undergraduate students pay an average of $19,190 in in-state tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, construction trades majors at Southern California Institute of Technology accumulate an average of around $9,500 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $66.

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#3

CET, Watsonville

Watsonville, CA

The excellent programs at CET, Watsonville helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in California. CET, Watsonville is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Watsonville.

While working on their degree, construction trades majors at CET, Watsonville accumulate an average of around $6,051 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means InterCoast Colleges - West Covina is a great value for construction trades students. InterCoast Colleges - West Covina is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of W. Covina.

After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from InterCoast Colleges - West Covina carry an average student debtload of $11,887. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $76.

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#3

CET, Colton

Colton, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, Colton is a great value for construction trades students. Located in the suburb of Colton, CET, Colton is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, construction trades majors at CET, Colton accumulate an average of around $6,051 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

CET, Soledad

Soledad, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, Soledad is a great value for construction trades students. CET, Soledad is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Soledad.

After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from CET, Soledad carry an average student debtload of $6,051. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend InterCoast Colleges - Riverside. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Riverside, InterCoast Colleges - Riverside is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Construction Trades majors at InterCoast Colleges - Riverside take out an average of $11,887 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $76.

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#3

Summit College

Colton, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Summit College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. Located in the city of Colton, Summit College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, construction trades majors at Summit College accumulate an average of around $7,600 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $45, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

CET, San Jose

San Jose, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend CET, San Jose. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. CET, San Jose is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Jose.

The average amount in student loans that construction trades majors at CET, San Jose take out is $6,051. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

CET, San Diego

San Diego, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, San Diego is a great value for construction trades students. CET, San Diego is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.

After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from CET, San Diego carry an average student debtload of $6,051. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

CET, Santa Maria

Santa Maria, CA

The excellent programs at CET, Santa Maria helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in California. Located in the midsize city of Santa Maria, CET, Santa Maria is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that construction trades majors at CET, Santa Maria take out is $6,051. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend InterCoast Colleges - Fairfield. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. InterCoast Colleges - Fairfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield.

After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from InterCoast Colleges - Fairfield carry an average student debtload of $11,887. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $76.

Full Construction Trades at InterCoast Colleges - Fairfield Report

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#3

CET, Salinas

Salinas, CA

The excellent programs at CET, Salinas helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in California. CET, Salinas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Salinas.

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#3

CET, Coachella

Coachella, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, Coachella is a great value for construction trades students. CET, Coachella is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coachella.

While working on their degree, construction trades majors at CET, Coachella accumulate an average of around $6,051 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

CET, El Centro

El Centro, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, El Centro is a great value for construction trades students. Located in the small city of El Centro, CET, El Centro is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Construction Trades majors at CET, El Centro take out an average of $6,051 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend InterCoast Colleges - Anaheim. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Anaheim, InterCoast Colleges - Anaheim is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, construction trades graduates from InterCoast Colleges - Anaheim take out $11,887 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $76.

Full Construction Trades at InterCoast Colleges - Anaheim Report

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Institute for Business and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. Institute for Business and Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara.

On average, construction trades graduates from Institute for Business and Technology take out $8,867 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $94.

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The excellent programs at InterCoast Colleges - Rancho Cordova helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best construction trades schools in California. Located in the city of Rancho Cordova, InterCoast Colleges - Rancho Cordova is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, construction trades graduates from InterCoast Colleges - Rancho Cordova take out $11,887 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $76.

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#3

CET, Oxnard

Oxnard, CA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means CET, Oxnard is a great value for construction trades students. Located in the city of Oxnard, CET, Oxnard is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, construction trades graduates from CET, Oxnard carry an average student debtload of $6,051. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $10, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#3

National Career Education

Citrus Heights, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend National Career Education. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Citrus Heights, National Career Education is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that construction trades majors at National Career Education take out is $8,867. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $94.

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great value schools for Construction Trades students in the state of California seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California award.

Rank College Location

Best Value Construction Trades Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 98
Oregon 89
Hawaii 270
Nevada 50
Alaska 0

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

Majors Similar to Construction Trades

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 20 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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