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2026 Best Value Carpenters Schools
Looking for the best-value Carpenters programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 271 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Carpenters Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. The median Carpenters program debt is $13,669. Median earnings reach $45,303 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt. Get the full Western Technical College La Cross report
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values in the United States. Based in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical Carpenters student debt is $11,886. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,473 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Community And Technical College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Rochester, MN, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,389. Typical Carpenters student debt is $20,291. Median earnings reach $45,287 ten years out. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Rochester Community And Technical College
Out of the 271 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #4 spot. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public school based in Fennimore, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. The median Carpenters program debt is $12,112. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,470 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College report
A rank of #5 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values in the United States. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,186. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
Bismarck State College placed #6 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,277 ten years after entry. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Bismarck State College report
St Cloud Technical And Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. St Cloud Technical And Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $16,734 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,874 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt. See the full St Cloud Technical And Community College profile
Ridgewater College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. This public school is set in Willmar, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,827. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt. See the full Ridgewater College profile
Des Moines Area Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Ankeny, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Des Moines Area Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $14,956 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,018. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Des Moines Area Community College report
Northland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Thief River Falls, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Graduates carry a median of $18,550 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,425 ten years after entry. Set against $18,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northland Community And Technical College
Augusta Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Augusta Technical College alumni report median earnings of $33,523 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Augusta Technical College report
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Washburn Institute Of Technology Carpenters students take on a median of $11,362 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,774 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,362 median debt. More on Washburn Institute Of Technology
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #14 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical Carpenters student debt is $12,799. Median earnings reach $38,773 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Metropolitan Community College Area
Ogeechee Technical College placed #15 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Located in Statesboro, GA, Ogeechee Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Ogeechee Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $11,894 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Ogeechee Technical College profile
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. This public school is set in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,326. Typical Carpenters student debt is $17,650. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $38,399 a decade after entry. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lancaster, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,050. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology Carpenters students take on a median of $7,266 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,681. Set against $7,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants. Get the full Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology report
Lake Superior College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Duluth, MN, Lake Superior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete their Carpenters program here. Lake Superior College alumni report median earnings of $46,449 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,156 median debt. Read the full report on Lake Superior College
Atlanta Technical College placed #19 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Atlanta Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $10,646 in debt. Median earnings reach $30,350 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Atlanta Technical College report
Honolulu Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Based in Honolulu, HI, Honolulu Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Honolulu Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $10,868 in debt. Honolulu Community College alumni report median earnings of $45,105 a decade after entry. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Honolulu Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #21 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public school based in Calmar, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical Carpenters student debt is $14,348. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,306 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,348 median debt. More on Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Hinds Community College placed #22 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Set in Raymond, MS, Hinds Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Hinds Community College alumni report median earnings of $30,774 a decade after entry. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Hinds Community College
Hillsborough Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. The median Carpenters program debt is $16,142. Hillsborough Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,782 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt. Get the full Hillsborough Community College report
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,844. Manhattan Area Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $15,499 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,864 ten years out. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Manhattan Area Technical College
Minnesota West Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Granite Falls, MN, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete their Carpenters program here. Minnesota West Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $45,285 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Minnesota West Community And Technical College profile
Delgado Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Set in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. The median Carpenters program debt is $25,283. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,305. That is a strong return on a $25,283 median debt. See the full Delgado Community College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Carpenters Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a public school based in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical Carpenters student debt is $13,175. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $28,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Los Angeles Trade Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,233 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt. Read the full report on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Pima Community College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. The median Carpenters program debt is $10,655. Pima Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,810 a decade after entry. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Pima Community College profile
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,513 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,610 to complete their Carpenters program here. Median earnings reach $53,788 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,610 median debt. Get the full Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem report
Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Sunbury, PA, Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,628. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury alumni report median earnings of $45,538 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Triangle Tech Inc Sunbury
Ranken Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,008. Ranken Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $55,955 ten years out. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Ranken Technical College
Delaware County Community College placed #33 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in Media, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. The median Carpenters program debt is $14,866. Median earnings reach $45,391 ten years out. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Delaware County Community College report
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a private for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,463. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,953 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. More on Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Set in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Central New Mexico Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $10,112 in debt. Central New Mexico Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,869 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
Big Sandy Community And Technical College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Prestonsburg, KY, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Big Sandy Community And Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $11,588 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Big Sandy Community And Technical College
Tulsa Technology Center offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Technology Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,793 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt. Read the full report on Tulsa Technology Center
Orleans Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Orleans Technical Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Orleans Technical Institute alumni report median earnings of $38,668 a decade after entry. Set against $7,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Orleans Technical Institute has an acceptance rate of 80%. See the full Orleans Technical Institute profile
Atlantic Technical College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Coconut Creek, FL. Graduates carry a median of $9,222 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,560. Set against $9,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Atlantic Technical College
Gadsden State Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Read the full report on Gadsden State Community College
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. See the full Guilford Technical Community College profile
Renton Technical College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Get the full Renton Technical College report
Central Arizona College placed #42 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Read more about Central Arizona College
Peninsula College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Peninsula College
Columbus State Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. More on Columbus State Community College
Laney College
Laney College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Get the full Laney College report
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #46 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. More on Seattle Community College Central Campus
Waubonsee Community College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. See the full Waubonsee Community College profile
Indian River State College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. See the full Indian River State College profile
Lanier Technical College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. See the full Lanier Technical College profile
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Truckee Meadows Community College report
Best Value Carpenters Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Carpenters Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Carpenters Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 271 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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