Best Carpenter Schools in Indiana (2026)

Compare accredited Carpenter schools across Indiana below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

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Best Carpenter Schools in Indiana

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 169 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Columbus State Community College

Columbus, OH 168.7 miles away BOC Score 56.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 28.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 84
  • Annual completions: 3133
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,681 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Owensboro Community and Technical College

Owensboro, KY 149.8 miles away BOC Score 55.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 51.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 51
  • Annual completions: 4904
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,854 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Maysville Community and Technical College

Maysville, KY 148.6 miles away BOC Score 52.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 53.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 45
  • Annual completions: 3513
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,970 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Lexington, KY 149.8 miles away BOC Score 51.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 62
  • Annual completions: 6837
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,181 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Louisville, KY 107.4 miles away BOC Score 49.7
Tuition $4,808 - $14,457
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 33.2%
  • Programs offered: 57
  • Annual completions: 4516
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,106 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN 2.1 miles away BOC Score 49.2
Tuition $5,154 - $15,370
Contact
  • 50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive Indianapolis, IN 46208-5752
  • (317) 921-4800
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 38.5%
  • Programs offered: 147
  • Annual completions: 27303
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,369 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Southwestern Michigan College

Dowagiac, MI 151.9 miles away BOC Score 48.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 34
  • Annual completions: 179
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,001 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN 104.3 miles away BOC Score 48.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 78
  • Annual completions: 1509
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,333 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Parkland College

Champaign, IL 115.8 miles away BOC Score 40.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 32.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 72
  • Annual completions: 811
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,315 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

Chicago, IL 159.1 miles away BOC Score 37.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 28.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 38
  • Annual completions: 833
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,247 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Carpenter Schools in Indiana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Indiana.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
156.1Contact school for pricing$52,68128%Yes*169 mi
255.4Contact school for pricing$44,85452%Yes*150 mi
352.5Contact school for pricing$42,97054%Yes*149 mi
451.0Contact school for pricing$48,181Not reportedYes*150 mi
549.7$4,808 - $14,457$50,10633%Yes*107 mi
649.2$5,154 - $15,370$53,36938%Yes*2 mi
748.6Contact school for pricing$46,001Not reportedYes*152 mi
848.2Contact school for pricing$54,33337%Yes*104 mi
940.9Contact school for pricing$47,31532%116 mi
1037.3Contact school for pricing$43,24729%Yes*159 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Indiana are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Indiana is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Median Graduate Earnings at Carpenter Schools in Indiana
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Carpenter Schools in Indiana (2026) (College Scorecard)Vincennes University $54333; Ivy Tech Community College $53369; Columbus State Community College $52681; Jefferson Community and Technical College $50106; Bluegrass Community and Technical College $48181; Parkland College $47315.Vincennes University$54,333Ivy Tech Community College$53,369Columbus State Community Col...$52,681Jefferson Community and Tech...$50,106Bluegrass Community and Tech...$48,181Parkland College$47,315
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Carpenter Schools in Indiana (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Vincennes University$54,333
Ivy Tech Community College$53,369
Columbus State Community College$52,681
Jefferson Community and Technical College$50,106
Bluegrass Community and Technical College$48,181
Parkland College$47,315

Carpenter Pay and Job Outlook

Carpenters annual wage by percentile: $40,410 at the 10th percentile, $60,580 median, $99,910 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What carpenters earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for carpenters: 959,000 jobs in 2024 to 1,002,100 in 2034, +4.5% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for carpenters
Top-paying states for carpenters - Hawaii leads at $85,280. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for carpenters

Indiana Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$62,870BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment15,240 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.10BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate4.1%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$60.68/hr ($34.7 base + $25.98 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for Carpenter Training in Indiana

The cities below have the highest concentration of carpenter training programs and population centers within Indiana. Click through for school listings near each:

How to Become a Carpenter in Indiana

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass any required state or local exam.
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

Apprenticeship Programs in Indiana

In Indiana, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years.

About Carpenter Careers in Indiana

Carpenters construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

In Indiana, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $62,870, about 15,240 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.10 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Career outlook varies by region and specialization. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for national projections and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the latest state and metropolitan area data.

Carpenter Wages and Workforce in Indiana

In Indiana, Carpenter programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $62,870 per year, and most earn between $45,510 and $90,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Indiana employs roughly 15,240 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.10 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Indiana include Ivy Tech Community College, and Vincennes University. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Carpenter Training and Licensing in Indiana

Licensing for Carpenter varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Indiana licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.

Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does carpenter training in Indiana involve?

Carpenter training in Indiana is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.

How much do carpenters earn in Indiana?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), carpenters in Indiana earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,870. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $45,510 to $90,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Indiana license or certification process for carpenters?

Licensing for carpenter work is handled at the state level in Indiana. Consult Indiana's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)