2027 Best Value Carpentry Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for carpentry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Carpentry Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the carpentry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Carpentry Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for carpentry 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 program here. 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for carpentry. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $11,886. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #3 place for carpentry. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $15,732. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Washburn Institute Of Technology one of the best values for carpentry. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete the carpentry program here. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Fort Scott Community College one of the best values for carpentry. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $12,990. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $40,041. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College placed #6 among the best values for carpentry. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $11,084. Carpentry graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 for value in carpentry this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $43,440 early in their careers. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #8 among the best values for carpentry. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $34,099. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #9 spot for carpentry value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College placed #10 among the best values for carpentry. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $16,135. Carpentry graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #11 for value in carpentry this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattan Area Technical College earned the #12 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the carpentry program here. 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.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #13 spot for carpentry value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #14 among the best values for carpentry. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College placed #15 among the best values for carpentry. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College came in at #16 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $13,209. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $44,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #17 position for value in carpentry this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. 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.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in carpentry this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. 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.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #19 among the best values for carpentry. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the carpentry program here. Carpentry graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
North Central Kansas Technical College placed #20 among the best values for carpentry. 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 earned the #21 position for value in carpentry this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value carpentry schools. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for carpentry graduates is $14,054. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $45,368. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Lake Superior College earned the #23 position for value in carpentry 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. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #24 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Carpentry graduates carry a median of $13,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, carpentry degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $43,216. Set against $13,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ranken Technical College came in at #25 for value in carpentry this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,008. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the carpentry program here. Early-career carpentry graduates make about $35,975. 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.
