by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction trades education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for construction trades in Pennsylvania. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $151,803. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $28,384 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,050. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $18,900. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #6 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. 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. Construction Trades graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $36,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Castle School Of Trades earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of New Castle, New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laurel Technical Institute came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,431. Students borrow a median of $14,143 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,129. Set against $14,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rosedale Technical Institute ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $17,402 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rosedale Technical Institute generally make around $37,133. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Rosedale Technical Institute admits about 75% of applicants.
Laurel Business Institute earned the #10 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,713 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,918. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,180. Set against $13,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Johnson College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,225. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,124. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center came in at #12 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $17,690 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center generally make around $38,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orleans Technical Institute landed the #13 spot for construction trades value this year. Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students borrow a median of $7,521 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $39,498. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt. Orleans Technical Institute admits about 80% of applicants.
Penn Commercial Business Technical School came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial Business Technical School is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,654. Students borrow a median of $7,912 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Fortis Institute Forty Fort landed the #15 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of Forty Fort, Fortis Institute Forty Fort is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,955 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,096 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,224 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennco Tech Bristol came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Pennco Tech Bristol is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bristol. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Pennco Tech Bristol earn a median of $33,003 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triangle Tech Inc Dubois came in at #17 for value in construction trades this year. Triangle Tech Inc Dubois is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Falls Creek. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,462. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Construction Trades graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Dubois earn a median of $42,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem came in at #18 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,513. Students borrow a median of $17,583 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $53,547. That is a strong return on a $17,583 median debt.
Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury landed the #19 spot for construction trades value this year. Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Sunbury. Students from in state pay about $18,628 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,041. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh came in at #20 for value in construction trades this year. Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,463. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $19,241 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh earn a median of $32,786 early in their careers. Set against $19,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #21 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,364 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $54,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Philadelphia Technician Training ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Philadelphia Technician Training generally make around $18,592.
Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg came in at #23 for value in construction trades this year. Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,413. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg generally make around $54,399. Set against $17,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown came in at #24 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Allentown, Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,528. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown generally make around $42,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.