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2026 Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Pennsylvania? This list ranks 315 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College reviewed 262 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Elizabethtown College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Pennsylvania. Based in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Elizabethtown College Trade students take on a median of $26,599 in debt. Read more about Elizabethtown College
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on this year's Trade ranking in Pennsylvania. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical Trade student debt is $16,155. More on University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #4 makes Duquesne University one of the top choices in Pennsylvania. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,297. See the full Duquesne University profile
Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown came in at #5 on this year's Trade ranking in Pennsylvania. This private for-profit school is set in Allentown, PA. Graduates carry a median of $16,528 in student loans. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Slippery Rock, PA. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. See the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania profile
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #7 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,355. Typical Trade student debt is $32,256. Read more about Thomas Jefferson University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Get the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania report
Widener University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chester, PA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Widener University Main Campus
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Indiana, PA. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical Trade student debt is $26,513. Read more about Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Kings College placed #12 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Kings College is a private not-for-profit institution. Kings College posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Kings College report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #13 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
York College Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in York, PA. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. York College Pennsylvania Trade students take on a median of $26,537 in debt. More on York College Pennsylvania
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Millersville, PA. About 58% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania Trade students take on a median of $26,486 in debt. See the full Millersville University Of Pennsylvania profile
Temple University placed #16 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Trade students take on a median of $26,259 in debt. Read the full report on Temple University
Gannon University landed the #17 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Erie, PA. Gannon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,656. Gannon University Trade students take on a median of $26,934 in debt. Read the full report on Gannon University
Central Pennsylvania College landed the #18 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in Summerdale, PA, Central Pennsylvania College is a private for-profit institution. Central Pennsylvania College posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,854. The median Trade program debt is $40,957. Read the full report on Central Pennsylvania College
Harcum College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Bryn Mawr, PA, Harcum College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Typical Trade student debt is $26,756. More on Harcum College
Cedar Crest College placed #21 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Allentown, PA, Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Cedar Crest College graduates 60% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. See the full Cedar Crest College profile
Immaculata University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Immaculata, PA, Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit institution. Immaculata University graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,980. The median Trade program debt is $27,738. See the full Immaculata University profile
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Lancaster, PA, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Typical Trade student debt is $9,915. Read more about Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Holy Family University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,330. Graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. See the full Holy Family University profile
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #25 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. This public school is set in Williamsport, PA. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates 45% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,371 in student loans. See the full Pennsylvania College Of Technology profile
Marywood University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Marywood University Trade students take on a median of $27,744 in debt. Read the full report on Marywood University
Alvernia University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Reading, PA, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alvernia University graduates 56% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Alvernia University Trade students take on a median of $31,900 in debt. Get the full Alvernia University report
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Gwynedd Valley, PA, Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Get the full Gwynedd Mercy College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Drexel University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Drexel University Trade students take on a median of $28,838 in debt. Read more about Drexel University
Carlow University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Carlow University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Carlow University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Read the full report on Carlow University
Yti Career Institute York ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in York, PA, Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit institution. The median Trade program debt is $14,865. Read more about Yti Career Institute York
Montgomery County Community College landed the #33 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Blue Bell, PA, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Montgomery County Community College Trade students take on a median of $15,219 in debt. See the full Montgomery County Community College profile
Triangle Tech Inc Dubois did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Falls Creek, PA, Triangle Tech Inc Dubois is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,462. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Triangle Tech Inc Dubois report
Waynesburg University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Waynesburg, PA, Waynesburg University is a private not-for-profit institution. Waynesburg University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,480. The median Trade program debt is $27,000. Get the full Waynesburg University report
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Schnecksville, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Lehigh Carbon Community College Trade students take on a median of $14,450 in debt. See the full Lehigh Carbon Community College profile
Laurel Business Institute came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Based in Uniontown, PA, Laurel Business Institute is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,713. Students borrow a median of $13,918 to complete their Trade program here. More on Laurel Business Institute
Mercyhurst College landed the #39 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit school based in Erie, PA. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,770. Graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Read the full report on Mercyhurst College
Pittsburgh Technical Institute placed #40 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. This private not-for-profit school is set in Oakdale, PA. Students borrow a median of $19,310 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Pittsburgh Technical Institute profile
Messiah College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mechanicsburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,240. Graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. See the full Messiah College profile
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Johnstown, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown report
Mount Aloysius College placed #43 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Cresson, PA, Mount Aloysius College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,545. Typical Trade student debt is $25,416. Get the full Mount Aloysius College report
Berks Technical Institute placed #44 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Berks Technical Institute is a private for-profit school based in Wyomissing, PA. The median Trade program debt is $21,799. Read the full report on Berks Technical Institute
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $20,867. Get the full Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg report
La Roche College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, La Roche College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. La Roche College Trade students take on a median of $27,078 in debt. More on La Roche College
Peirce College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Peirce College graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,060. Typical Trade student debt is $44,247. Get the full Peirce College report
Luzerne County Community College placed #48 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Nanticoke, PA, Luzerne County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete their Trade program here. More on Luzerne County Community College
Johnson College landed the #49 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Scranton, PA, Johnson College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,225. Graduates carry a median of $16,083 in student loans. Read more about Johnson College
Bucks County Community College landed the #50 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Bucks County Community College
Lackawanna College did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Scranton, PA, Lackawanna College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,400. The median Trade program debt is $21,168. Read more about Lackawanna College
Penn Commercial Business Technical School did well this year, earning the #52 position. Located in Washington, PA, Penn Commercial Business Technical School is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,654 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $12,067. More on Penn Commercial Business Technical School
Butler County Community College placed #53 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Butler, PA, Butler County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. More on Butler County Community College
South Hills School Of Business And Technology placed #54 among Trade schools in Pennsylvania. This private for-profit school is set in State College, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,905. The median Trade program debt is $18,459. Read more about South Hills School Of Business And Technology
Eastern University ranked #55 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Eastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Davids, PA. Eastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Eastern University report
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 262 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 315 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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