2026 Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Associate’s Degree Schools
[Plumbing & Water Supply](/majors/construction-trades/plumbing-and-water-supply/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 219 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value plumbing & water supply schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in plumbing & water supply, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Plumbing & Water Supply Schools
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, plumbing & water supply degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #2 place for plumbing & water supply. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $7,427 in student loans. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $82,191. Set against $7,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value plumbing & water supply schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in plumbing & water supply, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $9,915. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $40,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Texas State Technical College one of the best values for plumbing & water supply. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Typical student debt for plumbing & water supply graduates is $12,953. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #6 for value in plumbing & water supply this year. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Plumbing & Water Supply graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Montana State University Northern landed the #7 spot for plumbing & water supply value this year. Set in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Early-career plumbing & water supply graduates make about $50,896. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt.
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for plumbing & water supply value this year. Located in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,275. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the plumbing & water supply program here. Soon after graduation, plumbing & water supply degree recipients from New England Institute Of Technology generally make around $40,744. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. New England Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Other Plumbing & Water Supply Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Plumbing & Water Supply rankings across degree levels:
View All Plumbing & Water Supply Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 219 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked 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 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.
