2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest Region
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction trades education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Brownsville the best value for a degree in construction trades in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,150. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at St Philips College, which ranked #5. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District landed the #9 spot for construction trades value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Brazosport College earned the #10 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,625. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Central Arizona College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,323. Construction Trades graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
El Paso Community College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,542. Construction Trades graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College earned the #16 position for value in construction trades this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #17 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,624 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College came in at #18 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green Country Technology Center earned the #20 position for value in construction trades this year. Green Country Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Okmulgee. Students borrow a median of $10,125 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Green Country Technology Center generally make around $51,601. Set against $10,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #21 for value in construction trades this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,627. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College placed #22 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technology Center came in at #23 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Technology Center generally make around $40,264.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #24 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Gordon Cooper Technology Center generally make around $44,822.
Lee College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,941. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
