The trades are in need of a resurgence. Our society depends upon it! Thankfully, it seems that we’re beginning to see trade schools that harness the necessary skills for workers tick up enrollment. While many students continue to hear that college is the best path forward (and for some, that rings true), there are others who should seek another path. That path, often times, is a specific trade or skill. The best way to get hands on training and clinical experience is through a trade or technical school. Thankfully, the Keystone state has some great options. The technical schools in PA vary in terms of cost and area of expertise. But thankfully, paying for that school can be worked through much like it can with college.
Thankfully, many of the financial aid programs available to most 4 year degree schools are also available to technical schools in PA. You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and many of the schools have the code readily available to send your results directly to the school. PA also offers financial aid options available, and some schools are fully state funded.
I thought it’d be helpful to give a breakdown of the schools available, the location, and the programs and areas of focus in addition to the cost. I think you’ll find that the technical schools in PA can provide options for those seeking an alternative path to college. Being that schools can offer a wide array of programs, cost of attendance isn’t always readily available.
All-State Career School-Essington Campus
Location: Essington, PA
Programs Offered: Nursing, Dental, Medical/Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Commercial Driving
Berks Technical Institute
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Programs Offered: Dental Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Clinical Asst, Business Admin, CDL Training, Electrical, HVAC & Basic Refrigeration, IT Support Specialist
Bidwell Training Center
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs Offered: Chemical Lab Technician, Horticulture Technology, Culinary Arts, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Asst, Medical Coder/Biller
Financial Aid Link (No cost tuition – fully state funded)
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
Location: Pleasant Gap, PA
Programs Offered: See link
Commonwealth Technical Institute
Location: Johnstown, PA
Programs Offered: (Prepares Pennsylvanians with disabilities) Business, Culinary Arts, Healthcare, IT, Skilled Trades
Financial Aid Link
Curtis Institute of Music
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Douglas Education Center
Location: Monessen, PA
Programs Offered: Special Make-Up & Effects, Filmmaking, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, CDL, Heavy Equipment & CDL
Erie Institute of Technology
Location: Erie, PA
Programs Offered: Business & IT, Web Design & Social Media Marketing, Network & Database Professional, Electronics Technician, Medical Equipment Technician, Medical Billing & Coding, Phlebotomy Tech, CNC/Machinist Tech, Industrial Maintenance & Mechatronics, Electrician, HVAC, Welding
Fortis Institute – Scranton
Location: Scranton, PA
Programs Offered: Nursing, Dental, Healthcare/Medical, Medical Technology, Skilled Trades, CDL, Beauty & Wellness
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
Location: Erie, PA
Programs Offered: Dental Asst, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Health IT, Massage Therapist, Medical Asst, Surgical Technologist, Vet Asst
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Hussian College, School of Art
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: Business & IT, Criminal Justice, Film & Arts, Digital Media, Graphic Design, UI/UX, Visual Communications, Billing & Coding, Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Physical Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Technology, Visual Effects & Animation
Johnson College
Location: Scranton, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
JNA Institute of Culinary Arts
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: Culinary Classes, Pastry Classes
Financial Aid Link
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
Location: Willow Street, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Lansdale School of Business
Location: North Wales, PA
Programs Offered: Practical Nurse Training, Business/Legal, Healthcare, Massage therapy
Laurel Business Institute
Location: Uniontown, PA
Programs Offered: See link
Lincoln Technical Institute, Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
McCann School of Business & Technology, Allentown
Location: Allentown, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Moore College of Art & Design
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
New Castle School of Trades
Location: New Castle, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Penn Commercial Business and Technical School
Location: Washington, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
Location: Lancaster, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Location: Lancaster, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Location: Williamsport, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Location: Media, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs Offered: Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aviation Electronics Technology
Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Incorporated
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Pittsburgh Technical College
Location: Oakdale, PA
Programs Offered: Business, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Design & Engineering Tech, Energy & Electronics Tech, Healthcare, IT, Nursing, Online, Trades Tech
Rosedale Technical College
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
South Hills School of Business & Technology
Location: State College, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Location: Lancaster, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
The University of the Arts
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
Triangle Tech, Pittsburgh
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs Offered: CADD w Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing, Maintenance Electricity & Construction Technology, Refrigeration/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning, Carpentry & Construction, Welding & Fabrication, Industrial & Structural Welding
Williamson College of the Trades
Location: Media, PA
Programs Offered: General Academics, Carpentry, Electrical, Landscape Construction & Management, Machine Tool Technology, Masonry, Power Plant Technology
YTI Career Institute – York
Location: York, PA
Programs Offered: See Link
