by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 271 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for carpentry students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among carpentry schools in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Juan College earned it the #2 place for carpentry. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,150. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Honolulu Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $10,868. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for carpentry. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the carpentry program here. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $51,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Students borrow a median of $7,266 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $37,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
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Hawkeye Community College earned the #6 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #7 spot for carpentry value this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $34,421. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highlands College Of Montana Tech ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the town of Butte, Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,127 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $2,750. Carpentry graduates of Highlands College Of Montana Tech earn a median of $58,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranken Technical College came in at #10 for value in carpentry this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $35,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,772, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $20,303. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $48,647. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $18,513. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,610. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem generally make around $40,572. Set against $12,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh earned the #13 position for value in carpentry this year. Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $18,463. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh generally make around $35,877. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Explore the best-value carpentry schools at other degree levels:
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.