Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at Remington College-Dallas Campus

Remington College-Dallas delivers something rare in construction education: genuinely low debt. At $9,500, graduates here borrow significantly less than the national typical for these certificates—placing them in the 5th percentile for debt burden. Combined with first-year earnings of $26,736, that creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning graduates owe roughly four months of salary.

The earnings picture requires more nuance. While $26,736 sits at the state median for construction finishing programs, it trails the national figure by about $1,750. This isn't unusual for Texas, where construction wages can vary dramatically by region and specialty. However, landing at the 25th percentile nationally suggests graduates here aren't accessing the higher-paying segments of the construction industry—which is notable given that this program serves an overwhelmingly low-income student population (92% receive Pell grants).

For families weighing this investment, the math works if the goal is quick workforce entry with minimal debt. A certificate holder could theoretically pay off their loans within a year or two while building trade experience. But parents should recognize this positions students at the lower end of construction industry earnings, where wage growth will depend heavily on gaining additional certifications, specializations, or moving into supervisory roles. The program opens doors without creating crushing debt, which matters—just set realistic expectations about which doors those are.