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.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 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.
Williamson College Of The Trades tops our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. The acceptance rate is 22%.
A rank of #2 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $28,384. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Luzerne County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,614. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,353. That is a strong return on a $14,614 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #4. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $151,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the construction trades program here. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Laurel Technical Institute earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,431 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,143. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Laurel Technical Institute generally make around $33,129. Set against $14,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Laurel Technical Institute admits about 85% of applicants.
Laurel Business Institute earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,713. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,918 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Laurel Business Institute earn a median of $34,180 early in their careers. Set against $13,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Laurel Business Institute admits about 77% of applicants.
New Castle School Of Trades earned the #9 position for value in construction trades this year. New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit school located in the town of New Castle. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of New Castle School Of Trades earn a median of $32,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth Technical Institute came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Commonwealth Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,714. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Commonwealth Technical Institute generally make around $20,049.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center earned the #11 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center generally make around $47,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,938 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $36,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rosedale Technical Institute placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,402. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Rosedale Technical Institute earn a median of $37,133 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,690 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,904. Set against $17,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yti Career Institute York landed the #15 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,225. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Johnson College earn a median of $49,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Pennco Tech Bristol landed the #17 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Pennco Tech Bristol is a small private for-profit university. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Pennco Tech Bristol earn a median of $32,945 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Penn Commercial Business Technical School ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. 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. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,912. Construction Trades graduates of Penn Commercial Business Technical School earn a median of $30,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Penn Commercial Business Technical School admits about 56% of applicants.
Orleans Technical Institute landed the #19 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $7,521 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Orleans Technical Institute earn a median of $39,108 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Philadelphia Technician Training ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Philadelphia Technician Training earn a median of $18,592 early in their careers.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #21 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,364. Construction Trades graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $53,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,364 median debt.
Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown earned the #22 position for value in construction trades this year. Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Allentown. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $19,858 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.