Best Trade Schools in Pennsylvania

Although most students are encouraged to attend college after completing high school, that is not the only path that leads to a stable career. Many Pennsylvania students opt to attend trade schools in Pennsylvania instead of attending college. Trade school programs help prepare students for careers in skilled trades such as welding, plumbing, and electrical work.

One reason students choose a trade school vs. college is the cost. Since most learners complete trade school programs within a year, they are less expensive than earning a college degree. Many trade school students can graduate with little or no debt.

Not all high-paying jobs require a college education. Many careers, such as truck drivers, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and auto mechanics require only a postsecondary non-degree diploma or certificate at a trade school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these jobs pay a median salary between $46,880 and $48,310 per year.

Trade schools typically take less time and money than college degree programs. For example, many cosmetology programs can be completed in less than a year. Trade schools offer programs in welding, electrical work, plumbing, cosmetology, massage therapy, healthcare, and more. Unlike colleges, which require general education classes, trade schools focus solely on applied skills for specific careers.

There are 117 trade schools in Pennsylvania, including two welding trade schools in the state: Philadelphia Technician Training and the Welder Training and Testing Institute. If you are looking for an electrician trade school in Pennsylvania, consider Rosedale Technical College, Penn Commercial, or Orleans Technical College.

The average total tuition cost of attending a trade school program in Pennsylvania is $16,400. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for 4-year colleges in Pennsylvania was $15,565 for residents and $42,812 for nonresidents in 2019-2020. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years, so that is $62,260 total for resident tuition.

No matter the program, you will want to consider your potential salary after graduating and how long it will take for the program to pay for itself.

All students should fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). This form provides all the information the federal government and your school needs to determine how much it can afford to pay. It uses that information to determine whether you qualify for federal student aid and college scholarships and grants.

Many scholarships also require applicants to fill out a form. Most also require transcripts, including your GPA, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Students must pay the remaining portion of their tuition not covered by scholarships or grants. If you have savings, you can pay upfront. But many students need to borrow money to attend trade schools in Pennsylvania.

Trade school students may be able to finance their education through loans. Students enrolled in accredited trade schools can qualify for federal student loans. Many trade schools also have arrangements with loan companies or offer installment plans through the school.

Accreditation assures students they are getting a quality education. Many trade schools are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, the Council on Occupational Education, or the Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education.

Choosing an accredited school is important because you might be unable to take the licensing exam in many states if your program isn’t accredited. Sometimes programs receive accreditation along with the school. Nursing is one area where you might see programmatic accreditation.

Accrediting agencies check if the school or program meets their education standards in various areas, such as management and administrative operations, admissions policies, student recruiting and advertising, program requirements, and student services.

Apprenticeships or internships may be a good option if you are considering a skilled trade. Apprentice.org oversees nearly 90% of the apprenticeships offered in Pennsylvania. Apprenticeship programs help people start new careers without accumulating student debt.

Apprentice.org oversees apprenticeship programs for boilermakers, bricklayers, carpenters, electrical workers, and elevator constructors. The organization also arranges apprenticeships for ironworkers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, and roofers.

In addition to attending trade schools or doing an apprenticeship, many high school students attend vocational education at a career center or vocational high school. These schools often offer programs in auto mechanics, construction, horticulture, culinary arts, and graphic arts.

There are 117 trade schools in Pennsylvania. Most of them are private schools, but a few are public. The average total tuition cost to attend a trade school in Pennsylvania is $16,401. Many programs also require books and supplies. For some programs, such as welding, the supplies may cost a significant amount.

Trade schools in Pennsylvania offer many different programs, including licensed practical nursing, welding, respiratory care therapy, cosmetology, and diesel mechanics technology. Cosmetology and licensed practical nursing are among the most popular programs.

The best way to determine whether a trade school is worth the money is to determine your potential return on investment. You can determine your ROI by subtracting tuition costs from potential earnings. The higher your salary, the less time it will take for your education to pay for itself.

For example, the average cost of a trade school program in Pennsylvania is $16,401, and the median salary for an LPN is $48,070. In one year, LPNs in Pennsylvania would make nearly three times their investment in education based on these figures.

The top three vocational careers by median annual salary are elevator installer and repairer ($97,860), radiation therapist ($82,790), and web developer ($77,200), according to the BLS. Although trade school programs may be available for all of these programs, many people choose to learn web development through a coding bootcamp.

Coding bootcamps are intensive training programs that typically take three to six months to complete. They usually provide training for a specific career, such as web developer or coder.

Each trade school program on our list features:

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