by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry/carpenter, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among carpentry/carpenter schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $7,266. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $37,611. That is a strong return on a $7,266 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School landed the #6 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public institution. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Ocean County Vocational Technical School earn a median of $27,482 early in their careers.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #7 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $48,647. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
Orleans Technical Institute ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $21,916. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem placed #9 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,513 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,610 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $40,572. That is a strong return on a $12,610 median debt.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh placed #10 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. 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/carpenter graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $35,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Philadelphia Technician Training earned the #11 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Philadelphia Technician Training generally make around $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.