Find Trade Colleges
2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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 Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This report analyzed 55 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 412 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology are $8,450 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,889 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. LCCC is a public institution located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 853 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCCC are $12,960 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,247 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 55 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s value ranking, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the # 5 spot on the list. IUP is a public institution located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IUP are $18,927 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at IUP. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, IUP is ranked #4 for overall quality in Pennsylvania.
Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
With a ranking of #6, Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Harrisburg Area Community College is a fairly large public school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HACC are $10,148 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,208 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since HACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bucks County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Bucks County Community College is located in Newtown, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 823 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bucks County Community College are $13,384 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,561 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bucks County Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Pittsburgh - Titusville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Titusville, Pennsylvania, the very small public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pitt Titusville are $22,210 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,479 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pitt Titusville also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
Community College of Allegheny County ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. CCAC is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,027 associate degrees to qualified students.
CCAC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,223 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,588 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCAC. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1,253 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Montco are $15,390 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,849 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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.
With a ranking of #13, Luzerne County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, the small public school awarded 473 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Luzerne County Community College are $15,060 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,191 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Luzerne County Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Butler County Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. This small public school is located in Butler, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 417 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
BC3 undergraduate students pay an average of $11,550 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,104 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BC3. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Community College of Philadelphia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,815 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Community College of Philadelphia are $12,744 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,811 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Community College of Philadelphia. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Laurel Business Institute ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. LBI is located in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 64 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LBI are $11,470 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,584 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LBI. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Reading Area Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 464 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RACC are $11,580 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,472 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that RACC does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. This small public school is located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 255 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pennsylvania Highlands are $12,690 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,846 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pennsylvania Highlands. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,168 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northampton Community College are $14,820 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,905 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northampton Community College. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Johnstown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.
Pitt Johnstown undergraduate students pay an average of $26,520 in tuition and fees each year.
Pitt Johnstown does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 0% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Delaware County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Delaware County Community College is a public institution located in Media, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,176 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delaware County Community College are $14,400 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,635 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delaware County Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Pennsylvania College of Technology did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Penn College is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 711 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Penn College are $25,680 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,551 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Penn College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Penn College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Central Penn is located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 119 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Penn are $19,404 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,442 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Central Penn, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Penn also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #24, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Pitt undergraduate students pay an average of $37,320 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,903 in student loans.
Pitt does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pitt also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
Read full report on University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 520 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pittsburgh Technical College are $16,974 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,250 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Pittsburgh Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 32% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
View Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
More Pennsylvania Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.