2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Maine
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in Maine. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,031. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $58,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Washington County Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Washington County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Calais. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,407.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at York County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,934. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Eastern Maine Community College, which ranked #5. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,515. Construction Trades graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $46,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Maine Community College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Northern Maine Community College earn a median of $48,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Maine Community College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $47,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
