2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in North Carolina
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Wilkes Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in North Carolina. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,969. Construction Trades graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $52,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
A rank of #5 makes Edgecombe Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Students borrow a median of $22,153 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Edgecombe Community College generally make around $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College earned the #6 position for value in construction trades this year. Pamlico Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Grantsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,495. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #9 spot for construction trades value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,861. Construction Trades graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Martin Community College placed #11 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.
Richmond Community College landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,833. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College placed #16 among the best values for construction trades. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #17 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayland Community College landed the #18 spot for construction trades value this year. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,626, compared with $8,770 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates of Mayland Community College earn a median of $17,144 early in their careers.
Gaston College earned the #19 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #21 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,098. Construction Trades graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,767.
Randolph Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,784 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s construction trades value ranking:
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. 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
