by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for carpentry/carpenter students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry/carpenter degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for carpentry/carpenter in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Honolulu Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #2 spot this year. Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $59,006. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #3 place for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $51,104. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle Community College Central Campus one of the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #6 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,844. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #7 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $14,956. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $34,421. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #9 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $7,266 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter 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. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Highlands College Of Montana Tech came in at #10 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the town of Butte, Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,127, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. Students borrow a median of $2,750 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter 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.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter 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, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earn a median of $48,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson College landed the #12 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,225 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,083 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Johnson College earn a median of $40,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Carpentry/Carpenter rankings across degree levels:
View All Carpentry/Carpenter Rankings >The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.