by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 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.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for construction trades in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $28,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Erie Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,710 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,973 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,095. That is a strong return on a $11,973 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson County Community College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County Vocational Technical School earned the #9 position for value in construction trades this year. Union County Vocational Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Scotch Plains. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,590.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $151,803. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laurel Technical Institute came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,431. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Laurel Technical Institute generally make around $33,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #13 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,380. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $37,125. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Laurel Business Institute ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,713 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,918. Construction Trades graduates of Laurel Business Institute earn a median of $34,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
New Castle School Of Trades ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of New Castle, New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,671. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North American Trade Schools came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, North American Trade Schools is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,392 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,837. That is a strong return on a $10,392 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,278. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Adult And Continuing Education Bcts landed the #18 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the suburb of Hackensack, Adult And Continuing Education Bcts is a small public institution. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,179. Construction Trades graduates of Adult And Continuing Education Bcts earn a median of $29,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,179 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $36,532. Set against $15,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton earned the #20 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $23,640. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $46,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi landed the #21 spot for construction trades value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,772, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $20,303. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $48,647. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Erie 1 Boces earned the #22 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of West Seneca, Erie 1 Boces is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $11,600 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center came in at #23 for value in construction trades this year. Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the city of Altoona. Students borrow a median of $17,867 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center generally make around $47,891. That is a strong return on a $17,867 median debt.
Commonwealth Technical Institute came in at #24 for value in construction trades this year. Commonwealth Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $7,714 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Commonwealth Technical Institute generally make around $20,049.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School came in at #25 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public university. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ocean County Vocational Technical School generally make around $27,482.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s construction trades value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.