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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This report analyzed 55 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elizabethtown College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Elizabethtown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania that handed out 9 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Etown does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $35,700. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,702 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Etown. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 26% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 27 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend IUP full time pay an average of $11,320 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,927.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IUP does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Jefferson University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 37 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $44,200 to cover tuition and fees at Thomas Jefferson University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $24,705 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Thomas Jefferson University does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Widener University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 13 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $51,639 to cover tuition and fees at Widener. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Widener accumulate an average of $15,311 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Widener. In fact, around 36% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Gannon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $36,706 to cover tuition and fees at Gannon. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Gannon does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 22% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Pittsburgh - Titusville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. University of Pittsburgh - Titusville is a very small public school located in Titusville, Pennsylvania that handed out 9 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,918 in tuition and fees if they attend Pitt Titusville full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $22,210. Associate Degree recipients from Pitt Titusville accumulate an average of $22,479 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 19 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $21,080 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pitt. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $37,320. On average, associate degree students take out $19,903 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Pitt does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 19% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Penn College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Central Penn is a private for-profit institution located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 119 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Central Penn, expect to pay an average of $19,404 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Central Penn accumulate an average of $15,442 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Central Penn does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a small public school located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that handed out 412 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $8,450. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $8,889 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Harcum College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Harcum College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 363 associate degrees to qualified students.
Harcum College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $28,240. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,109 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Harcum College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Pennsylvania College of Technology came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 711 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $17,940 in tuition and fees if they attend Penn College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,680. Associate Degree recipients from Penn College accumulate an average of $20,551 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Penn College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Holy Family University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 12 students in 2021-2022.
Holy Family does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $32,558. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Holy Family does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Lehigh Carbon Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. LCCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 853 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $9,030 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,960. On average, associate degree students take out $12,247 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Bucks County Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Bucks County Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Newtown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 823 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend Bucks County Community College full time pay an average of $9,184 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,384. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,561 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bucks County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Gwynedd Mercy University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Gwynedd - Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania. It awarded 10 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Gwynedd - Mercy is $37,791. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Gwynedd - Mercy does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mercyhurst University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Mercyhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 111 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Mercyhurst does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $43,460. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,242 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mercyhurst. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
Triangle Tech - Dubois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Triangle Tech - Dubois is a very small private for-profit school located in Falls Creek, Pennsylvania that handed out 59 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $18,449 to cover tuition and fees at Triangle Tech - Dubois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,027 in student loans.
With a ranking of #22, Alvernia University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Reading, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 89 students in 2021-2022.
Alvernia does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $40,750. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Alvernia does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Montgomery County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,253 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montco is $10,650. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,390. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,849 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Montco, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 28 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Lincoln Tech - Allentown accumulate an average of $14,800 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
With a ranking of #25, Pittsburgh Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Oakdale, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 520 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Pittsburgh Technical College, expect to pay an average of $16,974 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Pittsburgh Technical College accumulate an average of $18,250 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pittsburgh Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 32% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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