2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southeast Region
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction trades education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 202 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
South Georgia Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,423. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $51,498. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Pines Technical College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $52,553. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Nash Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $52,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,125. Construction Trades graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,279. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,675. That is a strong return on a $12,279 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,459. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #12 for value in construction trades this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,646. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $10,646 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #13 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $54,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College placed #15 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,646. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,399. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Somerset Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,500. Construction Trades graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $46,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #19 among the best values for construction trades. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,495. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Cleveland Community College placed #20 among the best values for construction trades. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,131. Construction Trades graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College placed #21 among the best values for construction trades. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,745. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pamlico Community College came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Edgecombe Community College earned the #23 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Mississippi Community College earned the #24 position for value in construction trades this year. Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Summit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,057. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,292. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,278. Construction Trades graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for construction trades this year:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 202 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 202 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.
