by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 928 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Utah Valley University tops our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools in the United States. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,484. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $74,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,700. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $71,202. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $30,070. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $85,630. Set against $30,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Pennsylvania College Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,703 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $63,138. Set against $25,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tuskegee University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,386. Students borrow a median of $29,356 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Tuskegee University generally make around $48,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tuskegee University admits about 49% of applicants.
Explore the best-value construction trades schools at other degree levels:
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 · 928 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.