Best colleges for Carpenters in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, Lincoln Land Community College and Kaskaskia College award the most Carpenters degrees and certificates in Illinois: 67, 22 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Illinois colleges offer Carpenters and award 116 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Carpenters program focuses on the skilled trade of carpentry, which involves the cutting, shaping, and installation of building materials in various construction projects. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago Public · Certificate | $17,697 | 67 | 31% | — | $13,175 |
Colleges awarding the most Carpenters degrees in Illinois
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago Public | 67 | $17,697 |
| 2 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 3 | Kaskaskia College Centralia Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 4 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Carpenters
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | River Grove | Public | 12 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031).
Top skills
What Carpenters earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Carpenters programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Carpenters degrees?+
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College (67 graduates a year), Lincoln Land Community College (22 graduates a year) and Kaskaskia College (13 graduates a year) award the most Carpenters degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Illinois colleges offer Carpenters.
Which Carpenters program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College tops the list at $17,697. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Carpenters earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Carpenters in Illinois is $80,320 (median $79,000), across about 19,570 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Carpenters program?+
The Carpenters program focuses on the skilled trade of carpentry, which involves the cutting, shaping, and installation of building materials in various construction projects. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Carpenters?+
The national job outlook is about +4.5% growth with around 74,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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