Rankings / Trades
Best Trade Schools
- 50
- Schools
- $42,458
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $7,994
- Avg. Net Price
- $9,455
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,828 at the low end to $61,511 at the top. That 1.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
Joliet Junior College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,889 against $1,672 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is Williamson College of the Trades, at $1,545 annually in net price.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Orleans Technical College graduates 89% of its students, well above the 47% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Pratt Community College: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Northwest Iowa Community College ($50,776 earnings), not the highest earner, Dunwoody College of Technology ($61,511). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Joliet Junior College outperforms Dunwoody College of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Orleans Technical College graduates 89% of its students versus 21% at Joliet Junior College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Joliet Junior College and Orleans Technical College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $41K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Northwest Iowa Community College #1 overall | $50,776 ▲ +20% vs avg | $14,800 | 57% | 69 |
| 2 Lake Land College #2 overall | $38,877 ▼ -8% vs avg | $2,254 | 56% | 69 |
| 3 Williston State College #3 overall | $44,017 ▲ +4% vs avg | $5,932 | 41% | 69 |
| $45,427 ▲ +7% vs avg | $4,068 | 33% | 69 | |
| $37,121 ▼ -13% vs avg | $4,764 | 51% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Trade Schools
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $42,458 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $7,994.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Joliet Junior College — Net Price: $1,672 | Graduation Rate: 21%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Orleans Technical College — 89% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Dunwoody College of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $61,511
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Skilled Trades Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship economy?
$41,016
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$7,316
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
While attention stays fixed on four-year degrees, trade and technical programs keep outperforming quietly. They cost less, finish faster, and lead to earnings that rival or exceed many bachelor’s-level careers. Infrastructure spending and a generational wave of retirements across the skilled trades keep pulling demand forward.
Across the 50 programs on this list, graduates earn a median of $41,016 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 46%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $7,316 a year, with about $9,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
Shorter programs and lower debt, set against structural demand, add up to a return most four-year degrees cannot match. The typical net price here is $7,316, and median earnings reach $41,016. These programs pay students back quickly and keep paying.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Northwest Iowa Community College lands at #1 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $50,776 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,800 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Lake Land College lands at #2 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $38,877 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,254 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Williston State College lands at #3 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,017 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,932 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Dodge City Community College lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,427 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Eastern Wyoming College lands at #5 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $37,121 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,764 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Pratt Community College lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,731 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Moraine Valley Community College lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $43,892 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,829 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Lewis and Clark Community College lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $37,724 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,349 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Williamson College of the Trades lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Net price runs $1,545 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,445 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,016 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Fox Valley Technical College lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $45,684 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,407 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Snead State Community College lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $35,735 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,249 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Elgin Community College lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,516 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,026 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
North Dakota State College of Science lands at #14 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $50,513 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,261 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Moraine Park Technical College lands at #15 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,371 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,268 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Renton Technical College lands at #16 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $49,782 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,296 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Lakeshore Technical College lands at #17 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $47,113 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,653 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Colby Community College lands at #18 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $41,889 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,886 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Marshalltown Community College lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $41,010 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,059 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
North Iowa Area Community College lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $43,462 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,010 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Mitchell Technical College lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $50,743 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,460 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Panola College lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $36,072 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,216 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Northeast Texas Community College lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $37,870 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,706 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Kirkwood Community College lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,016 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,705 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Great Basin College lands at #25 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $39,289 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,471 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Triton College lands at #26 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $41,728 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,138 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Central Arizona College lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $40,513 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,714 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Central Community College lands at #28 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $39,429 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,024 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Western Wyoming Community College lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $40,939 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,591 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Odessa College lands at #30 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Sauk Valley Community College lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,458 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,493 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Northeast Community College lands at #32 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,634 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,544 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Coffeyville Community College lands at #33 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $35,246 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,957 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Joliet Junior College lands at #34 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $42,889 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $1,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Northeastern Junior College lands at #35 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $39,893 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,801 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Lake Washington Institute of Technology lands at #36 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $50,669 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,817 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Northern Wyoming Community College District lands at #37 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $40,477 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,346 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Richland Community College lands at #38 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $38,793 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,741 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
College of Lake County lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,424 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,607 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Lincoln Land Community College lands at #40 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $38,479 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,299 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Rock Valley College lands at #41 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,158 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,242 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Waubonsee Community College lands at #42 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,788 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,442 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Rend Lake College lands at #43 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $35,775 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,187 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Alpena Community College lands at #44 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $36,442 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,320 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Orleans Technical College lands at #45 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $38,668 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,113 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Wytheville Community College lands at #46 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $34,303 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,622 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi lands at #47 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,629 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,225 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Northwest Shoals Community College lands at #48 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $33,828 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,838 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Paris Junior College lands at #49 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,515 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,690 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Dunwoody College of Technology lands at #50 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $61,511 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,939 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Trade schools are increasingly appealing options for students looking to jump into the workforce with practical skills and less debt. With an average earning potential of $42,814, these institutions offer a pathway to well-paying jobs without the hefty price tag of a traditional four-year degree. As families weigh their options, understanding what makes these trade programs successful is crucial.
What sets these schools apart is their focus on key outcomes: graduation rates, earnings, debt levels, and mobility. The list below ranks schools based on a value score for certificate and associate's programs in skilled trades, reflecting how well they prepare students for the job market. A closer look reveals that while some schools produce high earnings, others excel in affordability or graduation rates, giving students and families critical information to guide their decisions.
For example, Williamson College of the Trades has a commendable 74% graduation rate and a net price of just $1,545, making it an attractive option for students. In contrast, San Diego Miramar College has strong earnings of $48,224, but a graduation rate of only 48%, highlighting a tradeoff between immediate job prospects and educational completion. This kind of analysis can help prospective students find the right fit for their needs.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 49 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Odessa College leads the group at 4.7%, with Coffeyville Community College (3.9%) and Williston State College (3.2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 13.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Coffeyville Community College enrolls the most, at 28.5%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 13.7% across the list, peaking at 40.9% at Dunwoody College of Technology.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.27, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Williston State College is highest at 1.64.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
While looking at the data, you might notice that Manhattan Area Technical College stands out with an average earning of $51,864 and a graduation rate of 70%. In contrast, Santiago Canyon College has lower earnings of $44,956 and a 47% graduation rate. This difference underscores the importance of considering both immediate financial outcomes and educational completion when evaluating these programs.
After sifting through 50 schools, it's essential to think about your priorities. Consider whether you value higher earnings, lower costs, or a strong graduation rate more. Location and the specific trade program offerings are also critical factors. Think about what skills you want to learn and how those align with your career goals. Visiting campuses can provide insight into which environment feels right for you.
Ultimately, the numbers tell a story about the path from education to stable employment. For students and families, making informed choices about trade schools can mean the difference between a challenging start and a solid foundation for future success. Choosing the right program can pave the way toward a fulfilling career with financial stability.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Trade Schools: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Trade Schools ranking? +
Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, IA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Trade Schools ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $50,776 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 57% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Dunwoody College of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $61,511 ten years after enrollment, well above the $42,458 average across the 49 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Joliet Junior College leads: graduates earn a median $42,889 against net price of about $1,672 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Orleans Technical College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 47% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $7,994 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Williamson College of the Trades is among the most affordable at roughly $1,545. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Trade Schools ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
