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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
A trade school student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This report analyzed 231 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Community College of Allegheny County the most popular school in Pennsylvania for trade school students working on their degree. CCAC is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,859 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $13,980 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CCAC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,077 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 231 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the # 2 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1,317 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,304 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $513, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Penn College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,580 during the early year of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Pennsylvania. PIA is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. It awarded 460 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from PIA accumulate an average of $16,248 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $245 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from PIA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,564 during the early years of their career. Around 7% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Community College of Philadelphia helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school awarded 2,047 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,537 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Community College of Philadelphia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,346 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Out of the 231 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, All-State Career School - Lester landed the # 5 spot on the list. All-State Career School - Lester is a very small private for-profit school situated in Essington, Pennsylvania. It awarded 447 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from All-State Career School - Lester accumulate an average of $10,473 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $60 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, All-State Career School - Lester graduates make an average of $32,801 annually. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Harrisburg Area Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school handed out 2,107 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from HACC accumulate an average of $18,840 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, HACC graduates make an average of $35,757 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Universal Technical Institute - Exton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. UTI Exton is a small private for-profit school situated in Exton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 433 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UTI Exton accumulate an average of $15,643 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $199. Once they receive their degree, UTI Exton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,936 during the early year of their career. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
Delaware County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Media, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1,521 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,100 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Delaware County Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,347 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
New Castle School of Trades landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. New Castle School of Trades is a private for-profit institution located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 420 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,462 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, New Castle School of Trades graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,581 during the early year of their career. Around 6% of those degree recipients were women.
Pennco Tech-Bristol landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Pennco Tech-Bristol is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 454 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Pennco Tech-Bristol accumulate an average of $7,665 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $121. During the early years of their career, Pennco Tech-Bristol graduates make an average of $27,530 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 434 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,889 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,004 during the early year of their career. Around 12% of those degree recipients were women.
Pittsburgh Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Pittsburgh Technical College is located in Oakdale, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 780 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $17,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $240, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Pittsburgh Technical College graduates make an average of $33,711 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Philadelphia Technician Training ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 416 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,866 in student loans.After graduating from Philadelphia Technician Training Institute, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $20,106 during the early years of their career. Around 25% of those degree recipients were women.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Northampton Community College is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,408 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $17,026 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northampton Community College graduates make an average of $32,999 annually. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,696 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Montco accumulate an average of $12,849 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Montco graduates make an average of $37,557 annually. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
South Hills Beauty Academy Inc ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 317 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,975 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $20,121 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
Institute of Medical Careers did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 349 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,671 in student loans.After graduating from Institute of Medical Careers, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $23,437 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. 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.
On average, students take out $13,424 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $140. During the early years of their career, Lincoln Tech - Allentown graduates make an average of $36,234 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Thomas Jefferson University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $45,943 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $571, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Thomas Jefferson University graduates make an average of $59,708 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Jean Madeline Aveda Institute ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is a very small private for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 253 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,495 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $136. Once they receive their degree, Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $16,302 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. LCCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 953 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,276 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LCCC graduates make an average of $33,859 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Temple University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Temple is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 9,400 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Temple accumulate an average of $40,867 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $471. Once they receive their degree, Temple graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,012 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
YTI Career Institute-York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in York, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school handed out 330 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from YTI accumulate an average of $12,911 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168. During the early years of their career, YTI graduates make an average of $30,758 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Rosedale Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Rosedale Technical College is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 273 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Rosedale Technical College accumulate an average of $11,660 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $224 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rosedale Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,242 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
Great Lakes Institute of Technology landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Great Lakes Institute of Technology is located in Erie, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 238 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,312 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $105 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Great Lakes Institute of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,403 during the early years of their career. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona, PA |
| 37 | York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education | York, PA |
| 38 | School Removed | |
| 39 | Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown, PA |
| 39 | Berks Technical Institute | Wyomissing, PA |
| 41 | Bucks County Community College | Newtown, PA |
| 42 | Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 43 | Alvernia University | Reading, PA |
| 44 | Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke, PA |
| 45 | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork | Lancaster, PA |
| 46 | The Beauty Institute-Ambler | Ambler, PA |
| 47 | Misericordia University | Dallas, PA |
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.
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