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Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania

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 analysis found Elizabethtown College to be the best school for trade school students in Pennsylvania. Etown is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 585 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10,067 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 10,067 students in 2021-2022.

Full University of Pennsylvania Report

#4

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2,764 Total Awards

Out of the 72 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Duquesne University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2,764 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Duquesne University Report

#5

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania
256 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Lincoln Tech - Allentown is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 256 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

#6

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
2,338 Total Awards

With a ranking of #6, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania that handed out 2,338 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report

#7

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2,809 Total Awards

Thomas Jefferson University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Report

#8

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
4,930 Total Awards

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a fairly large public school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 4,930 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#9

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
1,798 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Widener University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,798 students in 2021-2022.

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2,728 Total Awards

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,728 students in 2021-2022.

Full Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Report

#12

King's College

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
647 Total Awards

King’s College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 647 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full King’s College Report

#13

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9,973 Total Awards

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 9,973 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Report

#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. York College of Pennsylvania is a small private not-for-profit school located in York, Pennsylvania that handed out 964 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#15

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
1,782 Total Awards

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. 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 ranked #16 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Temple is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9,400 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Temple University

#17

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
1,194 Total Awards

Gannon University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Gannon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,194 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Gannon University Report

#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. Central Penn is a very small private for-profit school situated in Summerdale, Pennsylvania. It awarded 369 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Central Penn College Report

#20

Harcum College

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
370 Total Awards

Harcum College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Harcum College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania that handed out 370 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#21

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
462 Total Awards

Cedar Crest College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Allentown, Pennsylvania that handed out 462 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Cedar Crest College Report

#22

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania
532 Total Awards

Immaculata University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 532 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Immaculata University

#23

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
434 Total Awards

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 434 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Report

#24

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
947 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, Holy Family University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 947 students in 2021-2022.

Full Holy Family University Report

#25

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, Pennsylvania
1,317 Total Awards

Pennsylvania College of Technology came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the small public school 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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