Building/Construction Finishing at Northeast Community College

Norfolk, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection

with a smaller student body of 2,464 in Norfolk, NE.

Program Analysis

At $37,514/yr, Building/Construction Finishing graduates from Northeast Community College land near the $36,481 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 63.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Building/Construction Finishing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Building/Construction Finishing's career paths, with 14% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

At #11 of 44 nationally, this is a top-5% Building/Construction Finishing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $37,514 to $47,374 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Building/Construction Finishing offers 60 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $37,514/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (86% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (392,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$495K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
22 of 22
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$7,680
Out-of-state: $10,260
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,374
26% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Building/Construction Finishing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Facilities managers $104,690 +3.8% 52%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers $78,690 +5.3% 57%
Construction and building inspectors $72,120 -0.8% 57%
Facilities managers
$104,690
+3.8% growth 52% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
$78,690
+5.3% growth 57% AI-proof
Construction and building inspectors
$72,120
-0.8% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 22 career paths with full salary data →

About Building/Construction Finishing Careers

You’ll start by solving tangible problems on active job sites. As a maintenance worker or painter, your day involves hands-on tasks: troubleshooting a building’s electrical systems with a multimeter, prepping surfaces, or applying the final coats of paint that make a project complete. With experience, you can advance to a First-Line Supervisor role. Here, your focus shifts from using tools to managing teams, coordinating schedules from blueprints, and ensuring job site safety and quality standards are met.

Read the full Building/Construction Finishing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Building/Construction Finishing Overview

Building/Construction Finishing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northeast Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northeast Community College's Building/Construction Finishing program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northeast Community College's Building/Construction Finishing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Building/Construction Finishing jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Building/Construction Finishing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why does Northeast Community College rank so high for Building/Construction Finishing?
The #11 ranking out of 44 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Building/Construction Finishing graduates?
Building/Construction Finishing connects to 60 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Building/Construction Finishing workers?
With approximately 392,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Building/Construction Finishing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →