Head-to-head · 2026
New Castle School of Trades vs Reading Area Community College
Compare average net price ($8,361 at New Castle School of Trades; $9,228 at Reading Area Community College), ROI score (13.40 vs 10.59), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,814 vs $39,082), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Castle School of Trades; Open / not reported at Reading Area 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 | Reading Area Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.40 ✓ | 10.59 |
| Avg net price | $8,361 ✓ | $9,228 |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,444 ✓ | $36,912 |
| In-state tuition | — | $6,480 |
| Out-of-state tuition | — | $12,510 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,814 ✓ | $39,082 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.9% ✓ | 33.6% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% ✓ | 65.6% |
| Median debt | $9,567 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 700 | 3,703 |
| 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 | Reading Area Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,038 | $7,968 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,904 | $8,553 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,822 ✓ | $8,987 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,817 | $12,121 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $14,049 |
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 | Reading Area Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 12.9% | 2.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 14.1% | 0.2% |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | 3.3% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New Castle School of Trades reports the lower average net price by $867 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,468 difference over four years ($33,444 vs $36,912).
New Castle School of Trades reports $5,732 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,814 vs $39,082). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at New Castle School of Trades and 65.6% at Reading Area Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,567 vs $8,750, 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
New Castle School of Trades vs Reading Area Community College, 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 $9,228 at Reading Area Community College. The annual difference of $867 adds up to about $3,468 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 $39,082 at Reading Area Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,732. 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.