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2026 Best Construction Trades Schools
Looking for the best Construction Trades programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 893 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Construction Trades Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Warren County Career Center to be the best Construction Trades school in the United States. Located in Lebanon, OH, Warren County Career Center is a public institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $8,679. See the full Warren County Career Center profile
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #3 on this year's Construction Trades ranking in the United States. Set in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Western Technical College La Cross Construction Trades students take on a median of $13,669 in debt. See the full Western Technical College La Cross profile
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Iowa Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about Northwest Iowa Community College
A rank of #5 makes North Hennepin Community College one of the top choices in the United States. North Hennepin Community College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. See the full North Hennepin Community College profile
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $7,308. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full Chippewa Valley Technical College profile
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. About 53% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,225. See the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College profile
North American Trade Schools came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, North American Trade Schools is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,392 in student loans. Read more about North American Trade Schools
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ankeny, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Des Moines Area Community College profile
Perry Technical Institute landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yakima, WA. Students borrow a median of $17,860 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Perry Technical Institute
Lansing Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Lansing, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $16,700. Read more about Lansing Community College
Brookdale Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Brookdale Community College
Raritan Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Branchburg, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,668. See the full Raritan Valley Community College profile
Texas State Technical College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,923. Get the full Texas State Technical College report
Mid Eastctc Adult Education came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Zanesville, OH, Mid Eastctc Adult Education is a public institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. See the full Mid Eastctc Adult Education profile
Advanced Training Institute did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private for-profit school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $7,600. See the full Advanced Training Institute profile
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Trinidad, CO, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Trinidad State Junior College Construction Trades students take on a median of $3,588 in debt. Get the full Trinidad State Junior College report
Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Mahwah, NJ, Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah is a private for-profit institution. Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah Construction Trades students take on a median of $13,875 in debt. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah report
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District placed #22 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chillicothe, OH. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. More on Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District
Bismarck State College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Bismarck State College is a public school based in Bismarck, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $6,666 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Bismarck State College
Utah Valley University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Utah Valley University Construction Trades students take on a median of $14,484 in debt. Get the full Utah Valley University report
Reading Area Community College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Reading, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. The median Construction Trades program debt is $13,979. Read the full report on Reading Area Community College
Lincoln Technical Institute Union ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Union, NJ, Lincoln Technical Institute Union is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $13,875. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Union
Pierpont Community And Technical College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,762, with out-of-state students paying around $13,660. Students borrow a median of $16,268 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Pierpont Community And Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Construction Trades Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #28 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Rochester Community And Technical College report
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is a public school based in Fond du Lac, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read the full report on Moraine Park Technical College
Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seekonk, MA, Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,262. Read more about Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk
Michigan State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. More on Michigan State University
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Shelton, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
Mitchell Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. The median Construction Trades program debt is $10,683. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain did well this year, earning the #34 position. Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain is a private for-profit school based in New Britain, CT. Graduates carry a median of $16,695 in student loans. See the full Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain profile
Tidewater Tech Trades did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private for-profit school is set in Norfolk, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,337. Tidewater Tech Trades Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Read more about Tidewater Tech Trades
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #36 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This public school is set in Sioux City, IA. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
Linn State Technical College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Linn, MO, Linn State Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Linn State Technical College report
Cet Salinas landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Salinas, CA. The median Construction Trades program debt is $6,211. Read more about Cet Salinas
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $18,423. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
Lamson Institute ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in San Antonio, TX, Lamson Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $8,867. More on Lamson Institute
Mesa State College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. Read more about Mesa State College
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Fergus Falls, MN, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,908. Graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. More on Minnesota State Community And Technical College
Institute For Business And Technology landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in San Jose, CA, Institute For Business And Technology is a private for-profit institution. Institute For Business And Technology Construction Trades students take on a median of $8,867 in debt. Read the full report on Institute For Business And Technology
Northern Michigan University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Marquette, MI, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. Northern Michigan University graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Northern Michigan University
Southeast Community College Area did well this year, earning the #46 position. Southeast Community College Area is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Southeast Community College Area
Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Greensburg, PA, Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,413. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $17,583. Read the full report on Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg
Minnesota West Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Granite Falls, MN, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,491. Minnesota West Community And Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $11,089 in debt. See the full Minnesota West Community And Technical College profile
Northeast Community College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Norfolk, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $12,000. More on Northeast Community College
Southern California Institute Of Technology landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Anaheim, CA, Southern California Institute Of Technology is a private for-profit institution. Southern California Institute Of Technology graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,515. Southern California Institute Of Technology Construction Trades students take on a median of $10,270 in debt. More on Southern California Institute Of Technology
Atlantic Technical College landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Based in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,222 in student loans. Read more about Atlantic Technical College
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. This public school is set in Topeka, KS. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,500. Read more about Washburn Institute Of Technology
Cet San Diego landed the #53 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Students borrow a median of $6,425 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read the full report on Cet San Diego
Best Construction Trades Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Construction Trades Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Construction Trades Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 893 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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