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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment 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 tops our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for carpentry. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for carpentry. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $7,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $37,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for carpentry. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
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Ocean County Vocational Technical School earned the #6 position for value in carpentry this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public university. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $27,482.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #7 for value in carpentry this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Orleans Technical Institute ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Orleans Technical Institute generally make around $21,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,513. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,610. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $40,572. That is a strong return on a $12,610 median debt.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. 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. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $20,000. Carpentry graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh earn a median of $35,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Philadelphia Technician Training landed the #11 spot for carpentry value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit university. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $18,592.
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.