Carpenters at Triangle Tech Inc-Greensburg

Triangle Tech's Greensburg campus turns out carpenters earning just over $40,500 their first year—about $3,000 above both the national and Pennsylvania medians for this program. At 60th percentile statewide, it's performing solidly, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means individual circumstances heavily influence these figures. The debt load of $12,610 translates to a 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly three months' salary—a manageable burden that most can handle while building their careers.

The real story here is the practical tradeoff: carpentry associate's degrees don't command premium salaries, but they also don't require crushing debt. Graduates start earning immediately in a hands-on trade where experience and skill matter more than credentials. The 41% Pell grant rate suggests this program serves working-class families looking for affordable entry into skilled trades.

For parents considering this path, understand you're looking at consistent mid-$30K to low-$40K starting earnings across Pennsylvania carpentry programs—Triangle Tech Greensburg sits at the top of that narrow range. The small sample size is worth noting, but the fundamentals work: low debt, immediate earnings, and a trade with steady demand. Just don't expect dramatic salary growth compared to four-year technical programs.