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Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania

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2023 Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania

72 Schools Ranked
$45,384 Average Earnings
$30,971 Avg Student Debt

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 Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Our analysis looked at 72 schools in Pennsylvania to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in Pennsylvania

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
585 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Elizabethtown College the best school in Pennsylvania for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 585 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Elizabethtown College Report

#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10,067 Total Awards

Out of the 72 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the # 2 spot on the list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,067 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of Pennsylvania Report

#4

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2,764 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Duquesne University is a great place for trade school students. Duquesne is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,764 degrees to qualified students.

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#5

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania
256 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown is a great place for trade school students. Lincoln Tech - Allentown is a private for-profit institution located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 256 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

#6

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
2,338 Total Awards

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2,338 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

#7

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2,809 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, Thomas Jefferson University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,809 degrees to qualified students.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Report

#8

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
4,930 Total Awards

With a ranking of #8, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. WCUPA is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,930 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#9

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
1,798 Total Awards

Widener University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,798 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Widener University Report

2,728 Total Awards

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,728 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#12

King's College

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
647 Total Awards

King’s College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. King’s College PA is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It awarded 647 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on King’s College

#13

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9,973 Total Awards

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9,973 degrees to qualified students.

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#14

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
964 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, York College of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. YCP is a small private not-for-profit school situated in York, Pennsylvania. It awarded 964 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on York College of Pennsylvania

#15

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
1,782 Total Awards

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,782 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#16

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9,400 Total Awards

Temple University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large public school awarded 9,400 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Temple University Report

#17

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
1,194 Total Awards

Gannon University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Gannon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,194 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#18

Central Penn College

Summerdale, Pennsylvania
369 Total Awards

Central Penn College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 369 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#20

Harcum College

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
370 Total Awards

Harcum College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Harcum College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 370 degrees to qualified students.

Full Harcum College Report

#21

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
462 Total Awards

With a ranking of #21, Cedar Crest College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 462 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Cedar Crest College Report

#22

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania
532 Total Awards

Immaculata University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Immaculata is located in Immaculata, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 532 degrees to qualified students.

Full Immaculata University Report

#23

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
434 Total Awards

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 434 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

#24

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
947 Total Awards

Holy Family University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Holy Family University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 947 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Holy Family University Report

#25

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, Pennsylvania
1,317 Total Awards

Pennsylvania College of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a small public school located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,317 degrees in 2021-2022.

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Best Trade 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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