2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction trades students.
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2027 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,350 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $64,751. That is a strong return on a $12,350 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salina Area Technical College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Mid Plains Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,596. Construction Trades graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,277. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dodge City Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,507. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,556. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,866. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $62,177. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $43,768. Set against $6,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $41,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $47,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College placed #12 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,041. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $37,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cowley County Community College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $46,737. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,935. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita Area Technical College came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,828. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pratt Community College placed #20 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Construction Trades graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $57,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #22 spot for construction trades value this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,844. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $50,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,666 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $52,959 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #24 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,881. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $46,852. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in construction trades:
Narrow Construction Trades Schools by State
More Construction Trades Rankings
View All Construction Trades Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
