Best colleges for Carpenters in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Southwestern Community College and North Iowa Area Community College award the most Carpenters degrees and certificates in Iowa: 48, 46 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Iowa colleges offer Carpenters and award 240 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 2 institutions, 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 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public · Certificate | $34,421 | 29 | 39% | — | — |
| 2 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Public · Associate degree Small program | $44,602 | 8 | 43% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Carpenters degrees in Iowa
Top 10 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 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City Public | 48 | Not reported |
| 2 | Southwestern Community College Creston Public | 46 | Not reported |
| 3 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City Public | 37 | Not reported |
| 4 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 29 | $34,421 |
| 5 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 7 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 8 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 9 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Public | 8 | $44,602 |
| 10 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Iowa colleges offering Carpenters
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Public | 4 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031).
Top skills
What Carpenters earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Carpenters programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Carpenters degrees?+
Western Iowa Tech Community College (48 graduates a year), Southwestern Community College (46 graduates a year) and North Iowa Area Community College (37 graduates a year) award the most Carpenters degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Iowa colleges offer Carpenters.
Which Carpenters program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Des Moines Area Community College tops the list at $34,421. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Carpenters earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Carpenters in Iowa is $57,640 (median $57,710), across about 5,770 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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