by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 271 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value carpentry schools.
What’s on this page:
The carpentry program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Carpentry 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 Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Williamson College Of The Trades the best value for a degree in carpentry in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. 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 Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for carpentry. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Somerset Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,340. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Hinds Community College landed the #6 spot for carpentry value this year. 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. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College came in at #7 for value in carpentry this year. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #8 spot for carpentry value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,646 to complete the carpentry program here. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #9 among the best values for carpentry. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,799. Carpentry graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
American River College placed #10 among the best values for carpentry. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Renton Technical College came in at #12 for value in carpentry this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #13 spot for carpentry value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, carpentry 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 earned the #14 position for value in carpentry this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $11,745. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #15 for value in carpentry this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hazard Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,212 to complete the carpentry program here. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $32,626. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College placed #17 among the best values for carpentry. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $11,588. Carpentry graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hopkinsville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,269 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Hopkinsville Community College generally make around $43,678. Set against $13,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,323. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College landed the #20 spot for carpentry value this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $34,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in carpentry this year. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $35,946 early in their careers. 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 schools. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $31,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College landed the #24 spot for carpentry value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #25 spot for carpentry value this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in carpentry:
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Carpentry is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Carpentry/Carpenter | 4,508 |
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.