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DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 8
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 46.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Woodworker)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Woodworker)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Home Remodeling & Repair)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Home Remodeling & Repair)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
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2026 Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry/carpenter, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among carpentry/carpenter schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. 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.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $12,990. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $40,041. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $11,886. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Garden City Community College landed the #6 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $12,043. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #8 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College placed #9 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #10 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry/carpenter education at a price that pays off.
