Head-to-head · 2026
New Castle School of Trades vs Valley Forge Military College
Compare average net price ($8,361 at New Castle School of Trades; $6,398 at Valley Forge Military College), ROI score (13.40 vs 19.85), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,814 vs $50,798), and admissions context (Open / not reported at New Castle School of Trades; Open / not reported at Valley Forge Military 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 | Valley Forge Military College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.40 | 19.85 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,361 | $6,398 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,444 | $25,592 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | — | $32,176 |
| Out-of-state tuition | — | $32,176 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,814 | $50,798 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.9% | 95.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 79.3% | 82.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,567 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 700 | 90 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Private Non-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 | New Castle School of Trades | Valley Forge Military College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,038 | $6,398 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,904 | — |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,822 | — |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,817 | — |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Valley Forge Military College reports the lower average net price by $1,963 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,852 difference over four years ($25,592 vs $33,444).
Valley Forge Military College reports $5,984 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,798 vs $44,814). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at New Castle School of Trades and 82.4% at Valley Forge Military College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,567 vs $9,500, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
New Castle School of Trades vs Valley Forge Military College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Valley Forge Military College is cheaper — average net price $6,398 per year vs $8,361 at New Castle School of Trades. The annual difference of $1,963 adds up to about $7,852 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Valley Forge Military College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,798 vs $44,814 at New Castle School of Trades. The gap in the federal data is $5,984. 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.