2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Texas
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Brownsville, our #1 best value for construction trades in Texas. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,557. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,150. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Western Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for construction trades. 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, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Brazosport College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #8 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Construction Trades graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. 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.
Houston Community College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College came in at #12 for value in construction trades this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #13 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,624 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,268. That is a strong return on a $15,624 median debt.
Grayson College earned the #14 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #15 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,980, compared with $5,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,089 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Vernon College earned the #16 position for value in construction trades this year. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. Students from in state pay about $3,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,097. That is a strong return on a $12,513 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Lee College earned the #18 position for value in construction trades this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #19 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,157 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Southwest Texas Junior College earn a median of $25,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Galveston College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,726, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Students borrow a median of $15,183 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Galveston College earn a median of $51,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District landed the #21 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,716. Construction Trades graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College landed the #22 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College landed the #23 spot for construction trades value this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #24 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,700. Construction Trades graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $71,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College earned the #25 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for construction trades this year:
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
