by our College Data Analytics Team
[Woodworking](/majors/production-product-development/woodworking/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for woodworking students.
What’s on this page:
The woodworking program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Woodworking Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Woodworking Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the woodworking degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for woodworking in the United States. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in woodworking, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $33,842. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in woodworking will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #3. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the woodworking program here. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in woodworking will find it at Central Carolina Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the woodworking program here. Woodworking graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in woodworking will find it at Columbus Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $15,845. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College placed #6 among the best values for woodworking. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Savannah Technical College landed the #7 spot for woodworking value this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Woodworking graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Lee College landed the #8 spot for woodworking value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mendocino College earned the #9 position for value in woodworking this year. Located in the rural area of Ukiah, Mendocino College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,423, with out-of-state students paying around $10,003. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $20,000. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $81,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value woodworking schools. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the woodworking program here. Woodworking graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #11 position for value in woodworking this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $14,935. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #12 for value in woodworking this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $17,887. Woodworking graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #13 among the best values for woodworking. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the woodworking program here. Early-career woodworking graduates make about $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #14 spot for woodworking value this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Woodworking graduates carry a median of $9,373 in student loans. Woodworking graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $38,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Pinellas Technical College Clearwater placed #15 among the best values for woodworking. Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a small public school located in the city of Clearwater. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $18,549. Soon after graduation, woodworking degree recipients from Pinellas Technical College Clearwater generally make around $31,995. Set against $18,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Bennet Street School landed the #16 spot for woodworking value this year. North Bennet Street School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Typical student debt for woodworking graduates is $16,124. Woodworking graduates of North Bennet Street School earn a median of $31,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building landed the #17 spot for woodworking value this year. Located in the rural area of Port Hadlock, Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,025.
Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value woodworking schools. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $26,912 to complete the woodworking program here. Woodworking graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $19,151 early in their careers. Set against $26,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Woodworking is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 356 |
| Furniture Design and Manufacturing | 42 |
| Woodworking, General | 24 |
| Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician | 21 |
View All Woodworking Concentrations >
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.