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CollegeROIData

Trades & Technology Majors, ROI Rankings (2026)

11 trades & technology majors across 33 school-major combinations analyzed for debt, earnings, and job market outlook.

11
Majors
77/100
Avg ROI Score
$25K
Avg Median Debt
$62K
Avg Year 1 Earnings

Trades & Technology Majors by Average ROI

#MajorAvg ROI Score
1Manufacturing Engineering87/100
2Energy Systems Technologies84/100
3Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies83/100
4Construction Engineering Technology83/100
5Quality Control and Safety Technologies83/100
6Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies82/100
7Construction Management78/100
8Air Transportation70/100
9Transportation and Materials Moving69/100
10Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies65/100
11Precision Production62/100

Top 50 Trades & Technology Programs by ROI

#SchoolMajorROI Score
1Central State UniversityManufacturing Engineering90/100
2Alpena Community CollegeEnergy Systems Technologies84/100
3Bradley UniversityManufacturing Engineering84/100
4California State University-ChicoConstruction Engineering Technology84/100
5Bakersfield CollegeElectromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies83/100
6College for Creative StudiesDrafting/Design Engineering Technologies83/100
7Colorado Mesa UniversityConstruction Engineering Technology83/100
8Colorado State University-Fort CollinsConstruction Engineering Technology83/100
9Columbia Southern UniversityQuality Control and Safety Technologies83/100
10Academy of Art UniversityDrafting/Design Engineering Technologies82/100
11Alabama A & M UniversityConstruction Engineering Technology82/100
12Alcorn State UniversityElectromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies82/100
13Clover Park Technical CollegeElectromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies82/100
14California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoConstruction Management79/100
15Appalachian State UniversityConstruction Management78/100
16Boise State UniversityConstruction Management78/100
17Bradley UniversityConstruction Management78/100
18Central Connecticut State UniversityConstruction Management78/100
19Central Washington UniversityConstruction Management78/100
20Colorado State University PuebloConstruction Management78/100
21California State University-East BayConstruction Management76/100
22Bridgewater State UniversityAir Transportation72/100
23Auburn UniversityAir Transportation71/100
24Broward CollegeAir Transportation71/100
25Central Washington UniversityAir Transportation71/100
26Averett UniversityAir Transportation70/100
27Academy CollegeAir Transportation69/100
28California Baptist UniversityAir Transportation69/100
29California State University Maritime AcademyTransportation and Materials Moving69/100
30Antelope Valley Community College DistrictVehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies66/100
31Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of TechnologyVehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies65/100
32Centralia CollegeVehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies65/100
33California College of the ArtsPrecision Production62/100

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Frequently Asked Questions

CollegeROIData tracks 11 trades & technology majors across 33 school-major combinations with detailed debt and earnings data.

The average ROI Score for trades & technology programs is 77/100. Average median debt is $25K with average first-year earnings of $62K.

Among trades & technology majors, Manufacturing Engineering has the highest average ROI Score at 87/100. The best individual program is Central State University in Manufacturing Engineering with a score of 90/100.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last updated:

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.