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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry/carpenter education at a price that pays off.
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:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry/carpenter, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for carpentry/carpenter in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes San Juan College one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #3 spot this year. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $9,125. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $51,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $7,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $37,611. Set against $7,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
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Hawkeye Community College placed #6 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $17,887. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #8 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $14,956. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $34,421. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highlands College Of Montana Tech came in at #9 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the town of Butte, Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,127, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $2,750 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Highlands College Of Montana Tech generally make around $58,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranken Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $35,975. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #11 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,772, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earn a median of $48,647 early in their careers. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem landed the #12 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,513 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,610 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem earn a median of $40,572 early in their careers. Set against $12,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh placed #13 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,463. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh generally make around $35,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Carpentry/Carpenter rankings across degree levels:
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.