Head-to-head · 2026
Lehigh Carbon Community College vs New Castle School of Trades
Compare average net price ($9,203 at Lehigh Carbon Community College; $8,361 at New Castle School of Trades), ROI score (11.53 vs 13.40), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,436 vs $44,814), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lehigh Carbon Community College; Open / not reported at New Castle School of Trades) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Lehigh Carbon Community College | New Castle School of Trades |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.53 | 13.40 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,203 | $8,361 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,812 | $33,444 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,280 | — |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,270 | — |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,436 | $44,814 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.3% | 75.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $9,567 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,148 | 700 |
| Ownership | Public | Private For-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Lehigh Carbon Community College | New Castle School of Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,219 ✓ | $8,038 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,820 ✓ | $9,904 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,908 | $6,822 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,079 | $12,817 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,702 | — |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Lehigh Carbon Community College | New Castle School of Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | 0.5% | 16.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 0.1% | 14.1% |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | 0.3% | 4.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Castle School of Trades reports the lower average net price by $842 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,368 difference over four years ($33,444 vs $36,812).
New Castle School of Trades reports $2,378 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,814 vs $42,436). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59% at Lehigh Carbon Community College and 79.3% at New Castle School of Trades. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $9,567, respectively.
3 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Lehigh Carbon Community College vs New Castle School of Trades, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
New Castle School of Trades is cheaper — average net price $8,361 per year vs $9,203 at Lehigh Carbon Community College. The annual difference of $842 adds up to about $3,368 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
New Castle School of Trades reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,814 vs $42,436 at Lehigh Carbon Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,378. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.