Carpentry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 271 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best carpentry schools.
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
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Choosing a Great Carpentry School
The school you choose for carpentry can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Carpentry Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Carpentry School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Carpentry Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in carpentry. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 19 carpentry degrees were awarded at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Carpentry graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans.
Get the full carpentry details for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
A rank of #2 makes Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology one of the top schools for carpentry. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. There were roughly 38 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $37,611 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,266.
Get the full carpentry details for Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Students looking for a strong carpentry program will find one at Williamson College Of The Trades, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. Williamson College Of The Trades awarded about 17 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the carpentry program at Williamson College Of The Trades
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best carpentry schools. This large public university is located in the city of Green Bay. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 102 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their carpentry degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $42,016 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans.
Read more about the carpentry program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #5 spot this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. There were roughly 440 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $51,104 early in their careers. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans.
Get the full carpentry details for Ivy Tech Community College
Bismarck State College came in at #6 for carpentry this year. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Bismarck State College awarded about 14 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete this degree.
See the full carpentry program report for Bismarck State College
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot for carpentry this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. There were roughly 12 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete this degree.
Get the full carpentry details for Fox Valley Technical College
Renton Technical College landed the #8 spot for carpentry this year. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 62 carpentry degrees were awarded at Renton Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Renton Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Renton Technical College
Manhattan Area Technical College earned the #9 position for carpentry this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. There were roughly 27 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their carpentry degree from Manhattan Area Technical College earn around $43,205 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,499.
Get the full carpentry details for Manhattan Area Technical College
Highlands College Of Montana Tech earned the #10 position for carpentry this year. Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public school located in the town of Butte. Highlands College Of Montana Tech awarded about 14 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Highlands College Of Montana Tech generally make around $58,838. Typical student debt for the program is $2,750.
See the full carpentry program report for Highlands College Of Montana Tech
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #11 for carpentry this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. There were roughly 10 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at St Cloud Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $43,440. St Cloud Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans.
See the full carpentry program report for St Cloud Technical And Community College
Honolulu Community College placed #12 among the best carpentry schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. Honolulu Community College awarded about 57 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete this degree.
See the full carpentry program report for Honolulu Community College
Spokane Community College earned the #13 position for carpentry this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Spokane Community College awarded about 17 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $39,679 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,486.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Spokane Community College
Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best carpentry schools. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. Owensboro Community And Technical College awarded about 53 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $40,462 early in their careers. Owensboro Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,098 in student loans.
See the full carpentry program report for Owensboro Community And Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #15 spot for carpentry this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Waukesha County Technical College awarded about 21 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $46,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,595.
Read more about the carpentry program at Waukesha County Technical College
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #16 among the best carpentry schools. This large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. There were roughly 137 carpentry students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans.
Read more about the carpentry program at Community College Of Allegheny County
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #17 for carpentry this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Alexandria Technical And Community College awarded about 20 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,054.
Get the full carpentry details for Alexandria Technical And Community College
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #18 spot for carpentry this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Minnesota West Community And Technical College awarded about 16 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,009 early in their careers. Minnesota West Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans.
Read more about the carpentry program at Minnesota West Community And Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best carpentry schools. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College awarded about 33 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their carpentry degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn around $35,981 in the first couple years of their career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #20 spot for carpentry this year. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. About 16 carpentry degrees were awarded at Northwest Kansas Technical College in the most recent year. Carpentry graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Northwest Kansas Technical College
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best carpentry schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 21 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $35,742 in their early career. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Western Iowa Tech Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #22 spot for carpentry this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 22 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $38,325 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,296.
Get the full carpentry details for Milwaukee Area Technical College
Sowela Technical Community College earned the #23 position for carpentry this year. Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Sowela Technical Community College awarded about 29 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Carpentry graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,391.
Read more about the carpentry program at Sowela Technical Community College
American River College placed #24 among the best carpentry schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. American River College awarded about 491 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree.
Get the full carpentry details for American River College
Somerset Community College landed the #25 spot for carpentry this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Somerset Community College awarded about 63 carpentry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the carpentry program make about $35,340 in their early career. Somerset Community College graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans.
More information about a degree in carpentry from Somerset Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Carpentry Schools
These schools also placed among the best for carpentry this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 271 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).