Head-to-head · 2026
New Castle School of Trades vs Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Compare average net price ($8,361 at New Castle School of Trades; $6,200 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College), ROI score (13.40 vs 15.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,814 vs $38,752), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Castle School of Trades; Open / not reported at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College) 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 | New Castle School of Trades | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.40 | 15.63 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,361 | $6,200 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,444 | $24,800 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | — | $7,110 |
| Out-of-state tuition | — | $13,350 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,814 ✓ | $38,752 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.9% ✓ | 38.3% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% ✓ | 58.6% |
| Median debt | $9,567 ✓ | $11,000 |
| Enrollment | 700 | 788 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| 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 | New Castle School of Trades | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,038 | $2,945 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,904 | $5,079 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,822 | $6,693 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,817 | $9,715 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $12,042 |
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 | New Castle School of Trades | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 12.9% | 3.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 14.1% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,161 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,644 difference over four years ($24,800 vs $33,444).
New Castle School of Trades reports $6,062 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,814 vs $38,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at New Castle School of Trades and 58.6% at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,567 vs $11,000, respectively.
2 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.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
New Castle School of Trades vs Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,200 per year vs $8,361 at New Castle School of Trades. The annual difference of $2,161 adds up to about $8,644 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 $38,752 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The gap in the federal data is $6,062. 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.