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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 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 handed out 585 degrees 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

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

Read full report on Duquesne University

#5

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania
256 Total Awards

The excellent programs at Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade schools in Pennsylvania. Lincoln Tech - Allentown is a very small private for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 256 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown Report

#6

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
2,338 Total Awards

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,338 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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#7

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2,809 Total Awards

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Thomas Jefferson University

#8

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
4,930 Total Awards

West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. 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

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 handed out 1,798 degrees in 2021-2022.

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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.

Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

#12

King's College

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
647 Total Awards

King’s College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. King’s College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that handed out 647 degrees 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 ranked #13 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the large public school awarded 9,973 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Report

#14

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
964 Total Awards

York College of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in York, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 964 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full York College of Pennsylvania Report

#15

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
1,782 Total Awards

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school 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. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,400 degrees in 2021-2022.

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. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,194 diplomas to qualifed students 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 private for-profit institution located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, 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. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 370 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#21

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
462 Total Awards

Cedar Crest College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Cedar Crest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 462 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Cedar Crest College Report

#22

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania
532 Total Awards

Immaculata University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Immaculata is a private not-for-profit institution located in Immaculata, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 532 degrees in 2021-2022.

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 landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 947 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Holy Family University

#25

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, Pennsylvania
1,317 Total Awards

Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Penn College is a small public school situated in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,317 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Pennsylvania College of Technology Report

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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