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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. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school awarded 2,859 diplomas to qualifed students 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.After graduating from CCAC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,077 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Penn College is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,317 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Penn College accumulate an average of $25,304 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 $513. 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.
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. West Mifflin, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 460 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,248 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $245.After graduating from PIA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,564 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 7% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Community College of Philadelphia. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Community College of Philadelphia is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,047 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $12,537 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Community College of Philadelphia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,346 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means All-State Career School - Lester is a great place for trade school students. All-State Career School - Lester is a very small private for-profit school situated in Essington, Pennsylvania. It awarded 447 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,473 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $60. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Harrisburg Area Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Harrisburg Area Community College is a fairly large public school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that 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.After graduating from HACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,757 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Exton landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. UTI Exton is a private for-profit institution located in Exton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UTI Exton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,936 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 5% were women.
Delaware County Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,521 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Delaware County Community College accumulate an average of $14,100 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Delaware County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,347 during the early year of their career. 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.
On average, students take out $10,462 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, New Castle School of Trades graduates make an average of $37,581 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 6% were women.
Pennco Tech-Bristol landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Bristol, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school handed out 454 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Pennco Tech-Bristol accumulate an average of $7,665 in student debt by the time they complete 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. During the early years of their career, Pennco Tech-Bristol graduates make an average of $27,530 annually. Around 16% of those degree recipients 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. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 434 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology accumulate an average of $8,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology graduates make an average of $40,004 annually. Around 12% of those degree recipients were women.
Pittsburgh Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 780 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Pittsburgh Technical College accumulate an average of $17,531 in student debt by the time they complete 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.After graduating from Pittsburgh Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,711 during the early years of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Philadelphia Technician Training ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia Technician Training Institute is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 416 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,866 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Philadelphia Technician Training Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $20,106 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 25% were women.
With a ranking of #14, Northampton County Area Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Northampton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,408 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Northampton Community College accumulate an average of $17,026 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northampton Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,999 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Northampton County Area Community College
Montgomery County Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Montco is a public institution located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,696 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,849 in loans while pursuing 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.
With a ranking of #16, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 317 diplomas to qualifed students 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. During the early years of their career, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc graduates make an average of $20,121 annually. Around 99% of those degree recipients 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. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 349 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Institute of Medical Careers accumulate an average of $14,671 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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. 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 Tech - Allentown is a very small private for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $140, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
With a ranking of #19, Thomas Jefferson University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, 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.
With a ranking of #20, Jean Madeline Aveda Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 253 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology accumulate an average of $10,495 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 $136. 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 landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania that 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.After graduating from LCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,859 during the early years of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Temple University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. Temple is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 9,400 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,867 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $471 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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 landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. YTI Career Institute-York is a very small private for-profit school located in York, Pennsylvania that handed out 330 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,911 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from YTI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,758 during the early years of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Rosedale Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 273 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,660 in loans while pursuing 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. During the early years of their career, Rosedale Technical College graduates make an average of $37,242 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
Great Lakes Institute of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Pennsylvania list. 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $105, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Great Lakes Institute of Technology graduates make an average of $25,403 annually. 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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