Carpenters at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's carpentry program delivers solid value, particularly when measured against Texas alternatives. While first-year earnings of $38,268 land below the national median, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Texas carpentry programs—a meaningful advantage for students planning to work in-state. More importantly, the debt burden tells a compelling story: at $15,624, graduates owe less than most associate degree programs, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.41. That means a graduate could theoretically pay off their entire debt in five months of gross earnings, well ahead of the national standard.

The program does face a challenge common to skilled trades education: first-year earnings sit in the 37th percentile nationally. This reflects carpentry's apprenticeship-style career trajectory, where early earnings often lag behind what experienced tradespeople command. However, with only two schools in Texas offering associate degrees in carpentry, ACC benefits from limited competition and strong local construction demand in the Austin metro area.

For families concerned about student debt, this represents a low-risk entry into the skilled trades. The modest loan burden combined with in-state job market positioning makes this a practical choice, especially for students who want formal credentials to complement hands-on experience. Just understand that peak earning potential in carpentry typically requires years of field experience beyond the degree itself.