by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 271 schools to find the best return on investment for carpentry/carpenter students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study carpentry/carpenter affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry/carpenter, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among carpentry/carpenter schools in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $31,611 in tuition and fees. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Coastal Pines Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $5,812. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #3. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Somerset Community College earned it the #4 place for carpentry/carpenter. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $35,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,722 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $40,462. That is a strong return on a $9,098 median debt.
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Hinds Community College placed #6 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Atlanta Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $10,646. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Set against $10,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $12,799. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College placed #11 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $12,990. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College placed #12 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $18,582. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #15 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $13,312. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $33,842. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,212 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $11,588. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $33,956. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College placed #18 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $13,269. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $43,678. That is a strong return on a $13,269 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College placed #20 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #21 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $34,710. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $31,903. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College placed #24 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #25 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $17,619. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s carpentry/carpenter value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Carpentry/Carpenter. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 271 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.