by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong carpentry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for carpentry students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for carpentry in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place for carpentry. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in carpentry will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #3. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $15,263. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $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, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Johnson College one of the best values for carpentry. Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,225. Students borrow a median of $16,083 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Johnson College earn a median of $40,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Orleans Technical Institute earned the #6 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Early-career carpentry 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 earned the #7 position for value in carpentry this year. Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Philadelphia Technician Training earn a median of $18,592 early in their careers.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.