2026 Best Value Carpentry Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Carpentry](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 57 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value carpentry schools.
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2026 Best Value Carpentry Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in carpentry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Carpentry Schools
For return on investment in carpentry, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Carpentry 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.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for carpentry. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #4 place for carpentry. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in carpentry, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Garden City Community College landed the #6 spot for carpentry value this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,043. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #8 spot for carpentry value this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $15,881. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #9 spot for carpentry value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,135. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #10 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $44,672 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
Bismarck State College came in at #12 for value in carpentry this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College came in at #13 for value in carpentry this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #14 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,734. Carpentry 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.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $17,887. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $34,421 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattan Area Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $9,844. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Carpentry graduates of Manhattan Area Technical College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #18 position for value in carpentry this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College placed #19 among the best values for carpentry. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $41,638.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for carpentry. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $17,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $38,179. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #22 spot for carpentry value this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $11,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #23 position for value in carpentry this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the carpentry program here. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #24 position for value in carpentry 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. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $45,368. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #25 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $13,129. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $43,216. That is a strong return on a $13,129 median debt.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Carpentry Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s carpentry value ranking:
Narrow Carpentry Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
