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2026 Best Value Carpenters Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Carpenters undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 271 institutions 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 help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed schools to compile 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Western Technical College La Cross tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Carpenters undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. The median Carpenters program debt is $13,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,303. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Western Technical College La Cross
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Carpenters ranking in the United States. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school based in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical Carpenters student debt is $11,886. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,473. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
A rank of #3 makes Rochester Community And Technical College one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete their Carpenters program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Rochester Community And Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Carpenters ranking in the United States. Located in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. 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. See the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College profile
Out of the 271 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the #5 spot. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Ivy Tech Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $9,125 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
Bismarck State College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Bismarck State College Carpenters students take on a median of $13,340 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Bismarck State College
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Typical Carpenters student debt is $16,734. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,874 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Ridgewater College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Ridgewater College Carpenters students take on a median of $15,556 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,827 ten years out. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Ridgewater College
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ankeny, IA. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. The median Carpenters program debt is $14,956. Median earnings reach $41,018 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt. See the full Des Moines Area Community College profile
Northland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Northland Community And Technical College is a public school based in Thief River Falls, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Northland Community And Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $18,550 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,425. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt. Read the full report on Northland Community And Technical College
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Metropolitan Community College Area Carpenters students take on a median of $12,799 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Metropolitan Community College Area
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public school based in Saint Paul, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. The median Carpenters program debt is $17,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Lake Superior College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Duluth, MN, Lake Superior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,785. Graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. 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 more about Lake Superior College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Based in Calmar, IA, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $14,348 to complete their Carpenters program here. Median earnings reach $41,306 ten years out. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Hinds Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Raymond, MS, Hinds Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical Carpenters student debt is $16,385. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,774. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt. Read more about Hinds Community College
Hillsborough Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,782 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt. See the full Hillsborough Community College profile
Manhattan Area Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. The median Carpenters program debt is $15,499. Manhattan Area Technical College alumni report median earnings of $51,864 a decade after entry. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Manhattan Area Technical College
Delgado Community College placed #19 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in New Orleans, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. The median Carpenters program debt is $25,283. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,305 ten years after entry. Set against $25,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Delgado Community College
Atlanta Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical Carpenters student debt is $10,646. Atlanta Technical College alumni report median earnings of $30,350 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,646 median debt. Read more about Atlanta Technical College
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Granite Falls, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,491. The median Carpenters program debt is $13,946. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,285. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Minnesota West Community And Technical College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #22 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. The median Carpenters program debt is $14,833. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,233 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Pima Community College placed #23 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,810 ten years after entry. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Pima Community College report
Delaware County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. This public school is set in Media, PA. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,391 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Delaware County Community College profile
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete their Carpenters program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,869. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
Atlantic Technical College placed #26 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Set in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. The median Carpenters program debt is $9,222. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Atlantic Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Carpenters Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Mineral Area College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Mineral Area College
Spokane Community College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Spokane Community College
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Jefferson Community And Technical College report
Salina Area Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Salina Area Technical College report
Metro Technology Centers placed #30 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. More on Metro Technology Centers
Treasure Valley Community College placed #31 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Get the full Treasure Valley Community College report
Baton Rouge Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Baton Rouge Community College report
Suncoast Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Suncoast Technical College
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tulsa Technology Center report
Mid America Technology Center landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Mid America Technology Center
Southwestern Community College Creston offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Southwestern Community College Creston profile
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. See the full Truckee Meadows Community College profile
Mid State Technical College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Mid State Technical College
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology report
Cowley County Community College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Cowley County Community College
Eastern Arizona College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Get the full Eastern Arizona College report
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cuyahoga Community College District report
Long Beach City College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Long Beach City College
York Technical College placed #44 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. More on York Technical College
Southwest Mississippi Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Get the full Southwest Mississippi Community College report
Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Owensboro Community And Technical College
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Columbus Technical College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Read more about Columbus Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Moraine Park Technical College report
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. See the full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College profile
Related Carpenters Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Carpenters Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Carpenters 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. 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 · 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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