by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value carpentry schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Williamson College Of The Trades the best value for a degree in carpentry in Pennsylvania. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #2 place for carpentry. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for carpentry. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. 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.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #4 spot this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Carpentry 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.
A rank of #5 makes Orleans Technical Institute one of the best values for carpentry. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Orleans Technical Institute earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem came in at #6 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,513. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,610. Carpentry graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem earn a median of $40,572 early in their careers. Set against $12,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,463. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $20,000. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,877. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Philadelphia Technician Training came in at #8 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit institution. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Philadelphia Technician Training generally make around $18,592.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.