by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for carpentry students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williamson College Of The Trades earned the #1 spot for value among carpentry schools in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Honolulu Community College one of the best values for carpentry. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $10,868. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $51,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle Community College Central Campus earned it the #4 place for carpentry. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for carpentry. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #6 for value in carpentry this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,844. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot for carpentry value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $34,421. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #8 spot for carpentry value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry 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 came in at #9 for value in carpentry this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $7,266 in student loans. Carpentry 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. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Highlands College Of Montana Tech earned the #10 position for value in carpentry this year. Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a small public school located in the town of Butte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,127, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $2,750 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Highlands College Of Montana Tech earn a median of $58,838 early in their careers. Set against $2,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $48,647. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Johnson College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,225. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,083. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $40,883. Set against $16,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Carpentry rankings across degree levels:
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.