2026 Best Value Woodworking Schools

1

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

For return on investment in woodworking, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the woodworking program here. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

A rank of #2 makes Central Carolina Community College one of the best values for woodworking. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $10,266. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for woodworking. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the woodworking program here. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Columbus Technical College
Columbus, GA

Columbus Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value woodworking schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Woodworking graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.

5

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

A rank of #5 makes Palomar College one of the best values for woodworking. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

6

Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College placed #6 among the best values for woodworking. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the woodworking program here. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.

7

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value woodworking schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $14,471. Woodworking graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.

8

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Lancaster, PA

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value woodworking schools. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,373 to complete the woodworking program here. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $38,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

9

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for woodworking value this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value woodworking schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $17,887. Woodworking graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College came in at #11 for value in woodworking this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

12

Michigan Career And Technical Institute
Plainwell, MI

Michigan Career And Technical Institute placed #12 among the best values for woodworking. Michigan Career And Technical Institute is a small public school located in the rural area of Plainwell. Students from in state pay about $8,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,408. Woodworking graduates of Michigan Career And Technical Institute earn a median of $26,594 early in their careers.

13

Pinellas Technical College Clearwater
Clearwater, FL

Pinellas Technical College Clearwater earned the #13 position for value in woodworking this year. Set in the city of Clearwater, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a small public institution. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $18,549 in student loans. Woodworking graduates of Pinellas Technical College Clearwater earn a median of $31,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,549 median debt.

14

International Yacht Restoration School
Newport, RI

International Yacht Restoration School earned the #14 position for value in woodworking this year. International Yacht Restoration School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $45,663. International Yacht Restoration School admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building
Port Hadlock, WA

Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building came in at #15 for value in woodworking this year. Located in the rural area of Port Hadlock, Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,025.

16

North Bennet Street School
Boston, MA

North Bennet Street School came in at #16 for value in woodworking this year. Set in the city of Boston, North Bennet Street School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,124 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $31,099. Set against $16,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Rhode Island School Of Design
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #17 spot for woodworking value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $26,912 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $19,151. That is a strong return on a $26,912 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.