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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Community College of Allegheny County to be the most popular school for trade school students in Pennsylvania. CCAC is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,859 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,980 in student loans. 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.
The programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the small public school awarded 1,317 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,304 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $513.After graduating from Penn College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,580 during the early years of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 231 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics landed the # 3 spot on the list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $245, assuming you 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.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Community College of Philadelphia. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. 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. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend All-State Career School - Lester. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania 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.
On average, students take out $10,473 in loans while pursuing 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. Once they receive their degree, All-State Career School - Lester graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,801 during the early year of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Harrisburg Area Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Harrisburg Area Community College is a fairly large public school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 2,107 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $18,840 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from HACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,757 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Exton landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Universal Technical Institute - Exton is a small private for-profit school located in Exton, Pennsylvania that handed out 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. During the early years of their career, UTI Exton graduates make an average of $37,936 annually. 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. Delaware County Community College is located in Media, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,521 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,100 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Delaware County Community College graduates make an average of $34,347 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
New Castle School of Trades came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. New Castle, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 420 students 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.
With a ranking of #10, Pennco Tech-Bristol did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Bristol, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school handed out 454 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,665 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $121, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Pennco Tech-Bristol, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $27,530 during the early years of their career. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the small public school awarded 434 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,889 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Pittsburgh Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 780 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $240 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Pittsburgh Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,711 during the early year of their career. 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. Philadelphia Technician Training is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 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. Of those students who received their degree, 25% 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 a public institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,408 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,026 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northampton Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,999 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Montgomery County Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,696 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Montco accumulate an average of $12,849 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Montco, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,557 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
South Hills Beauty Academy Inc landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 317 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from South Hills Beauty Academy Inc accumulate an average of $4,975 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 $59 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from South Hills Beauty Academy Inc, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $20,121 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Institute of Medical Careers did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 349 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,671 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Institute of Medical Careers graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $23,437 during the early year of their career. Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown is a very small private for-profit school located in Allentown, Pennsylvania that handed out 256 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lincoln Tech - Allentown accumulate an average of $13,424 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 $140.After graduating from Lincoln Tech - Allentown, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,234 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $45,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $571 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Thomas Jefferson University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,708 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Jean Madeline Aveda Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and 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. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $136 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology graduates make an average of $16,302 annually. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.
Lehigh Carbon Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 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.
With a ranking of #22, Temple University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Temple University is a large public school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 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.After graduating from Temple, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,012 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, YTI Career Institute-York did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in York, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 330 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,911 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, YTI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,758 during the early year of their career. 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. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 273 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Rosedale Technical College accumulate an average of $11,660 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $224, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Rosedale Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,242 during the early year of their career. Around 12% of those degree recipients were women.
Great Lakes Institute of Technology came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Erie, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 238 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Great Lakes Institute of Technology accumulate an average of $14,312 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 $105.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. Of those students who received their degree, 94% 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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