10 Best Trade Schools For Construction With Prices
Construction can be an incredibly rewarding career, but that only holds if you have the right training. If you’re looking to become an electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, or any other type of building trades professional, it can seem like there are limited options outside of attending a four-year college or university. This isn’t necessarily true; there are plenty of affordable trade schools where you can earn the credentials and certifications you need to get started in construction with enough time left over to get your career rolling as soon as possible. The following are 10 best trade schools for construction with prices.
#1: The International Academy of Design & Technology
The International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) is a private, non-profit college located in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to its website, IADT has campuses in 14 major cities across America and offers undergraduate degrees as well as professional programs like design, fashion marketing, and interior design. Some of these programs are offered online. The cost for an associate’s degree at IADT is $36,000 per year; for a bachelor’s degree, it’s $48,000 per year; and $56,000 per year for graduate studies.
#2: The Illinois Institute of Art — Schaumburg
The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg offers multiple bachelor’s degrees in specific fields related to construction. These areas include construction management, facilities management, green and sustainable building technology, and interior design. The school also offers a master’s program in project leadership and management (PLM). The program is a three-year curriculum that costs about $15,000 per year for tuition. Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate certificate must complete an internship before graduation.
#3: ITT Technical Institute — Chicago
This Illinois-based institution charges $7,876 in tuition and fees per year, according to Peterson’s data. However, tuition costs may vary by program. For example, ITT’s culinary arts program has an estimated cost of about $15,600 per year. Its computer systems design program is an estimated $31,700 per year (tuition and fees only), according to Peterson’s data. The school also offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. For example, it offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice that takes students three years to complete and costs approximately $62,000 total. It also offers a master’s degree in organizational leadership that takes one year to complete and costs approximately $36,000 total.
#4: The University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas:
Students who major in construction management at UT Austin are required to complete hands-on fieldwork during their senior year. According to the school’s website, students have completed internships with local companies such as HKS Architects and Balfour Beatty Construction Services (which was recently named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For). Total cost: around $27,500 per year. This school is ranked #4 on our list of 10 best trade schools for construction with prices. It is located in Austin, Texas. The school received a ranking of 5 out of 5 stars by College Factual based on its educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes. The Princeton Review also ranked it as the best value college due to its excellent academics at an affordable price. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution that offers both undergrad and graduate degree programs.
#5: Eastern Florida State College Melbourne Campus — Melbourne, Florida
This college offers an associate’s degree in construction technology with a focus on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Tuition for full-time students is about $2,500 per year. The total program cost is about $17,000. The school offers financial aid and there are resources to help pay off student loans, including a VA educational loan repayment program that can give up to 100 percent of your loan payments back to you — yes, free money.
#6: Harrington College of Design — Chicago
Harrington College of Design is a private school in Chicago offering a degree in interior design. Tuition costs $20,340 per year and includes access to additional perks like $5,000 scholarship money with an application acceptance and more. Graduates of Harrington are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination and earn anywhere from $41,200 to $90,725 annually.
#7: New England Institute of Art — Brookline, Massachusetts
For students looking to build a career in interior design, the New England Institute of Art has long been a strong choice. New England Institute of Art has two campus locations—in Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts—as well as several other centers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. All told, nearly 1,000 students are enrolled at NEIA each year. Tuition at NEIA can be somewhat high; however, students can offset that by earning credit through one of two tuition exchange programs: Tuition Exchange Program (TEP) or Corporate Employee Scholarship Program (CESP). Under TEP, active-duty military members and veterans earn an additional 60% of their tuition toward a bachelor’s degree program if they have already completed some classes at another institution.
#8: The Ohio State University (OSU) Columbus Campus
OSU’s campus in Columbus was designed by world-renowned architect, I.M. Pei, who is also responsible for designing New York City’s glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum. The campus features over 160 buildings and sits on 1,000 acres of land. Students can choose from more than 200 majors across a variety of disciplines including business, engineering, liberal arts and sciences, education, and medicine. Students can also pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree online through OSU Online. In addition to its academic offerings, students can participate in many student organizations including fraternities and sororities as well as service groups such as Habitat for Humanity or Circle K International.
#9: The National University San Diego Online Campus — San Diego, California
The National University is a private, nonprofit institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its online program allows students to earn their degrees at home or on campus. Tuition costs: $9,300-$20,060 per year. Note: According to College Navigator, 3 out of 10 graduates from The National University San Diego Online Campus have defaulted on their loans within three years after graduation. This is a high default rate compared to other online schools.
#10: Kaplan Career Institute Pittsburgh Online Campus — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Kaplan offers a degree in construction management online, which provides students with training to plan and direct facility-construction projects from beginning to end. Students will also learn how to manage contracts, handle the paperwork and develop marketing strategies related to construction. This program takes approximately 18 months to complete. According to Payscale, graduates of Kaplan’s school earn an average of $50,000 per year as a general contractor after four years in the field.
Conclusion
If you plan on embarking on a construction career, you’ll want to make sure that your education is properly lined up. The best way to do that is to find one of these 10 best trade schools for construction with prices. Since these schools provide students with an education that directly relates to their field, it’s no wonder why many people consider them top-notch.