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2026 Best Construction Trades Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Construction Trades undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 893 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Warren County Career Center tops our 2026 ranking of the best Construction Trades undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in Lebanon, OH, Warren County Career Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,679 in student loans. See the full Warren County Career Center profile
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Iowa Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. More on Northwest Iowa Community College
Out of the 893 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Western Technical College La Cross landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. See the full Western Technical College La Cross profile
You'll be in good company at Chippewa Valley Technical College, which ranked #5 this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Chippewa Valley Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Graduates carry a median of $7,308 in student loans. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fennimore, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,225 in student loans. Read more about Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Texas State Technical College placed #8 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,923 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Texas State Technical College
North American Trade Schools landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. North American Trade Schools is a private for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Graduates carry a median of $10,392 in student loans. Get the full North American Trade Schools report
Lansing Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lansing, MI, Lansing Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Trades program debt is $16,700. More on Lansing Community College
Bismarck State College did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Bismarck State College Construction Trades students take on a median of $6,666 in debt. Read more about Bismarck State College
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Des Moines Area Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $14,956 in debt. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
Perry Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #13 position. Perry Technical Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Yakima, WA. Perry Technical Institute Construction Trades students take on a median of $17,860 in debt. Get the full Perry Technical Institute report
Mid Eastctc Adult Education placed #14 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in Zanesville, OH, Mid Eastctc Adult Education is a public institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $5,500. Read more about Mid Eastctc Adult Education
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Graduates carry a median of $10,683 in student loans. Get the full Mitchell Technical Institute report
Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Mahwah, NJ, Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $13,875 in student loans. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah
Lincoln Technical Institute Union landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Union, NJ, Lincoln Technical Institute Union is a private for-profit institution. Lincoln Technical Institute Union Construction Trades students take on a median of $13,875 in debt. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Union
Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Seekonk, MA, Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk is a private for-profit institution. The median Construction Trades program debt is $9,262. See the full Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk profile
Michigan State University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. The median Construction Trades program debt is $20,291. More on Rochester Community And Technical College
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton placed #21 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in Shelton, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $13,532. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Britain, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $16,695. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain report
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a public school based in Fond du Lac, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. Read more about Moraine Park Technical College
North Hennepin Community College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full North Hennepin Community College report
Mesa State College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $5,500. Read more about Mesa State College
Dakota County Technical College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $11,974 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Dakota County Technical College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Construction Trades Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. The median Construction Trades program debt is $11,886. Read more about Western Iowa Tech Community College
Lamson Institute placed #29 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in San Antonio, TX, Lamson Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,867 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Lamson Institute report
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fergus Falls, MN, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Minnesota State Community And Technical College
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Granite Falls, MN. 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
Northern Michigan University placed #32 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This public school is set in Marquette, MI. Northern Michigan University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Construction Trades program here. See the full Northern Michigan University profile
Lincoln College Of Technology Indianapolis ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Lincoln College Of Technology Indianapolis is a private for-profit school based in Indianapolis, IN. Lincoln College Of Technology Indianapolis Construction Trades students take on a median of $15,095 in debt. Get the full Lincoln College Of Technology Indianapolis report
Southern California Institute Of Technology landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Anaheim, CA. Southern California Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,515. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $10,270. Read the full report on Southern California Institute Of Technology
Atlantic Technical College placed #35 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. This public school is set in Coconut Creek, FL. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,222. Read the full report on Atlantic Technical College
Cet San Diego placed #36 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, Cet San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,425 in student loans. Read more about Cet San Diego
Hillsborough Community College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Hillsborough Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $16,142 in debt. Read the full report on Hillsborough Community College
Pennco Tech Blackwood placed #38 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in Blackwood, NJ, Pennco Tech Blackwood is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,500. More on Pennco Tech Blackwood
Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor placed #39 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Located in East Windsor, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete their Construction Trades program here. More on Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Read more about St Cloud Technical And Community College
Miami Valley Career Technology Center did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Englewood, OH, Miami Valley Career Technology Center is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $21,064 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Miami Valley Career Technology Center report
Danville Community College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Danville, VA, Danville Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Danville Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $9,494 in debt. Read more about Danville Community College
Anoka Technical College placed #43 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Based in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Anoka Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $12,850 in debt. Get the full Anoka Technical College report
Ridgewater College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Ridgewater College is a public school based in Willmar, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Read more about Ridgewater College
Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Beaumont, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Get the full Lamar Institute Of Technology report
North Georgia Technical College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Clarkesville, GA, North Georgia Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. North Georgia Technical College Construction Trades students take on a median of $12,279 in debt. Read the full report on North Georgia Technical College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,326. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Construction Trades program here. Get the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College report
Washburn Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $9,500. Get the full Washburn Institute Of Technology report
Cet El Centro placed #49 among Construction Trades schools in the United States. Set in El Centro, CA, Cet El Centro is a private not-for-profit institution. Cet El Centro Construction Trades students take on a median of $6,425 in debt. See the full Cet El Centro profile
Intercoast Colleges Rancho Cordova ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Construction Trades schools. Set in Rancho Cordova, CA, Intercoast Colleges Rancho Cordova is a private for-profit institution. Typical Construction Trades student debt is $11,725. More on Intercoast Colleges Rancho Cordova
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College did well this year, earning the #51 position. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. The median Construction Trades program debt is $6,974. Read the full report on City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
East Mississippi Community College did well this year, earning the #52 position. This public school is set in Scooba, MS. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. East Mississippi Community College Construction Trades students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Get the full East Mississippi Community College report
Related Construction Trades Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Construction Trades Schools (All Levels)
- Best Construction Trades 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
The ranking above is published 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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