2027 Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Carpentry/Carpenter](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/carpentry-carpenter/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry/carpenter education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools.
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2027 Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry/carpenter degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Carpentry/Carpenter Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area tops our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry/carpenter, landing the #3 spot this year. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $15,732. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry/carpenter will find it at Washburn Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $11,362. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #5 place for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $40,041. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Garden City Community College placed #6 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $43,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College placed #8 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $9,312. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #9 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #10 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #11 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #12 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #13 spot for carpentry/carpenter value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #15 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $17,887. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College came in at #16 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $13,209. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $44,672. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $14,956. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $34,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry/carpenter schools. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #19 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #20 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,928 ten years after entry.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #21 for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry/carpenter degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #22 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Typical student debt for carpentry/carpenter graduates is $14,054. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior College earned the #23 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Early-career carpentry/carpenter graduates make about $42,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #24 position for value in carpentry/carpenter this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Carpentry/carpenter graduates carry a median of $13,129 in student loans. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $43,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,129 median debt.
Ranken Technical College placed #25 among the best values for carpentry/carpenter. Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the carpentry/carpenter program here. Carpentry/carpenter graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $35,975 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
