2026 Best Value Carpenters Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Carpenters undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 271 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Western Technical College La Cross this year in the United States. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete their Carpenters program here. Western Technical College La Cross alumni report median earnings of $45,303 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values in the United States. Set 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, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Western Iowa Tech Community College Carpenters students take on a median of $11,886 in debt. Western Iowa Tech Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,473 a decade after entry. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Western Iowa Tech Community College profile
Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Carpenters ranking in the United States. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report 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. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public school based in Fennimore, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. The median Carpenters program debt is $12,112. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College alumni report median earnings of $43,470 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt. Read more about Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete their Carpenters program here. Ivy Tech Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,186 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt. Read more about Ivy Tech Community College
Bismarck State College placed #6 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. The median Carpenters program debt is $13,340. Bismarck State College alumni report median earnings of $54,277 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt. Get the full Bismarck State College report
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Typical Carpenters student debt is $16,734. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,874. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt. See the full St Cloud Technical And Community College profile
Ridgewater College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based 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. Ridgewater College alumni report median earnings of $43,827 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt. Read the full report on Ridgewater College
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,018 ten years after entry. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Des Moines Area Community College profile
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Set in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Northland Community And Technical College Carpenters students take on a median of $18,550 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a public school based in Omaha, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical Carpenters student debt is $12,799. Median earnings reach $38,773 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Area
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical Carpenters student debt is $17,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,399 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt. Get the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College report
Lake Superior College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Duluth, MN, Lake Superior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. Median earnings reach $46,449 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,156 median debt. Read the full report on Lake Superior College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #15 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public school based in Calmar, IA. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical Carpenters student debt is $14,348. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,306. That is a strong return on a $14,348 median debt. Get the full Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar report
Hinds Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Raymond, MS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical Carpenters student debt is $16,385. Median earnings reach $30,774 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Hinds Community College report
Hillsborough Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located 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. Typical Carpenters student debt is $16,142. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,782 ten years after entry. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Hillsborough Community College profile
Manhattan Area Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Manhattan Area Technical College is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,844. The median Carpenters program debt is $15,499. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Manhattan Area Technical College
Delgado Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Delgado Community College is a public school based in New Orleans, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. Typical Carpenters student debt is $25,283. Delgado Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,305 a decade after entry. Set against $25,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Delgado Community College
Atlanta Technical College placed #20 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. The median Carpenters program debt is $10,646. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,350. Set against $10,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Atlanta Technical College
Minnesota West Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located 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. 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 offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Pima Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical Carpenters student 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
Delaware County Community College placed #24 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Based in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Delaware County Community College report
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a public school based in Albuquerque, NM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete their Carpenters program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
Atlantic Technical College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Based in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. Typical Carpenters student debt is $9,222. Median earnings reach $38,560 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,222 median debt. Read the full report on Atlantic Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Carpenters Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Kauai Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full Kauai Community College profile
Sheridan College
Sheridan College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Sheridan College profile
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Waubonsee Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Waubonsee Community College report
Kaskaskia College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Read the full report on Kaskaskia College
Orange Technical College Westside Campus placed #31 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Read more about Orange Technical College Westside Campus
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center placed #32 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. More on Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center
York Technical College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. More on York Technical College
Gadsden Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Gadsden Technical Institute
Maysville Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Maysville Community And Technical College
Mid Plains Community College placed #36 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Get the full Mid Plains Community College report
Spokane Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Get the full Spokane Community College report
Iowa Central Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Iowa Central Community College profile
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College placed #39 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. See the full Santa Fe College profile
University Of Alaska Southeast came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Southeast
Canadian Valley Technology Center placed #41 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Get the full Canadian Valley Technology Center report
Clearfield County Career And Technology Center landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Clearfield County Career And Technology Center
Meridian Community College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Meridian Community College report
Northwest Florida State College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Northwest Florida State College
Williston State College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Read the full report on Williston State College
Honolulu Community College placed #46 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. Read the full report on Honolulu Community College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Gadsden State Community College placed #48 among the best-value Carpenters schools in the United States. More on Gadsden State Community College
Southern Crescent Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Southern Crescent Technical College
East Arkansas Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Carpenters schools. Read the full report on East Arkansas Community College
Related Carpenters Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Course Advisor (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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