by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for carpentry/carpenter students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry/carpenter, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Williamson College Of The Trades the best value for a degree in carpentry/carpenter in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Delaware County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $14,866. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $40,102. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Students borrow a median of $7,266 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $37,611 early in their careers. Set against $7,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Suny College Of Technology At Delhi, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $20,303. 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.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School came in at #6 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public university. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Ocean County Vocational Technical School earn a median of $27,482 early in their careers.
Johnson College came in at #7 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $21,225. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $16,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Johnson College generally make around $40,883. Set against $16,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Orleans Technical Institute came in at #8 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $7,521. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $21,916. Set against $7,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Philadelphia Technician Training landed the #9 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit university. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $18,592.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.