1
Williamson College of the TradesMedia, PA · Private nonprofit
- Avg net price
- $1,545
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $1,545
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- -
- Enrollment
- 322
State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's median net price sits 17% above the national Scorecard median; even so, Williamson College of the Trades is the lowest reporter here at $1,545 among 261 schools.
- $1,545
- Cheapest net price
- $19,954
- Pennsylvania median
- 261
- Schools ranked
Williamson College of the Trades has the lowest average net price in Pennsylvania among Scorecard reporters
According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Williamson College of the Trades posts the lowest average net price in Pennsylvania at $1,545 among 261 ranked schools, with the state median 17% above the $17,124 national median. Net price is what students paid after grant aid, not sticker tuition, and can reflect a narrow enrollment mix at specialty schools.
Data source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Cheapest net price
- $1,545
- Pennsylvania median
- $19,954
- Schools ranked
- 261
- National median
- $17,124
Data updated August 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
Williamson College of the Trades has the lowest average net price in Pennsylvania at $1,545/year, and the state's median net price is 17% above the $17,124 national median across 4,965 schools.
- $1,545
- cheapest ranked net price
- $19,954
- Pennsylvania median net price
- 80 public / 181 private
- schools in this ranking
- $17,095
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price blends every income bracket; families under $30k average $17,095 here. Loans are excluded, open a school profile for the bracket table before treating one average as a personal cost.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Haverford College, where in-state published tuition of $70,688 falls to an average net price of $25,314 after aid, a $45,374 gap, the widest sticker-to-net gap among ranked Pennsylvania schools.
Private campuses outnumber public ones here (181 vs 80). A low figure at a small religious or specialty school can reflect a narrow enrollment mix, check sector and enrollment beside the price.
The bar to make this top-25 list is $11,124. Here is where that cutoff sits among all 261 Scorecard-reporting Pennsylvania schools:
The bar to make Pennsylvania's top-25 cheapest list
Average net price after aid · 261 Scorecard-reporting schools
$11,124 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% of 261 Pennsylvania colleges
Show national distribution
Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more Pennsylvania colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · 2022–23
Pennsylvania's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
2
Westmoreland County Community CollegeYoungwood, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $5,167
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $2,972
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $35,899
- Enrollment
- 3,990
3
Susquehanna County Career and Technology CenterSpringville, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $5,594
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $5,847
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $34,886
- Enrollment
- 23
4
Pennsylvania Highlands Community CollegeJohnstown, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,200
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $2,945
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $32,465
- Enrollment
- 2,501
5
Butler County Community CollegeButler, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,233
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $4,083
- Median debt
- $10,020
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $33,920
- Enrollment
- 2,317
6
Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,389
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $3,725
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $39,454
- Enrollment
- 6,232
7
Valley Forge Military CollegeWayne, PA · Private nonprofit
- Avg net price
- $6,398
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $6,398
- Median debt
- $9,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $36,080
- Enrollment
- 97
8
Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,576
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $5,591
- Median debt
- $13,250
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $37,658
- Enrollment
- 7,402
9
Laurel Technical InstituteHermitage, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $6,778
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $4,533
- Median debt
- $10,706
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $24,397
- Enrollment
- 163
10
Schuylkill Technology CenterFrackville, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,797
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $6,607
- Median debt
- $15,275
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $46,804
- Enrollment
- 102
11
Community College of Beaver CountyMonaca, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $6,937
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $4,392
- Median debt
- $14,923
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $38,184
- Enrollment
- 1,936
12
Butler Beauty Academy-Kittanning Beauty AcademyKittanning, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $7,417
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,417
- Median debt
- $7,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $18,947
- Enrollment
- 14
13
Laurel Business InstituteUniontown, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $7,825
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,273
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $26,264
- Enrollment
- 518
14
Western Area Career & Technology CenterCanonsburg, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $8,066
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $2,520
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $42,272
- Enrollment
- 23
15
New Castle School of TradesNew Castle, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $8,361
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $8,038
- Median debt
- $9,567
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $41,932
- Enrollment
- 700
16
Butler Beauty Academy-New Castle Beauty AcademyNew Castle, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $8,962
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $8,962
- Median debt
- $7,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $18,947
- Enrollment
- 15
17
Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,203
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,219
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $37,577
- Enrollment
- 6,221
18
Reading Area Community CollegeReading, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,228
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,968
- Median debt
- $8,750
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $32,565
- Enrollment
- 5,369
19
Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,433
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,711
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $35,631
- Enrollment
- 4,460
20
Yeshivath Beth MosheScranton, PA · Private nonprofit
- Avg net price
- $9,800
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $8,765
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- -
- Enrollment
- 34
21
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and TechnologyPleasant Gap, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,857
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $8,203
- Median debt
- $9,454
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $41,196
- Enrollment
- 171
22
Butler Beauty AcademyButler, PA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $10,406
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $10,783
- Median debt
- $7,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $18,947
- Enrollment
- 26
23
Jefferson County Dubois Area Vocational Technical Practical Nursing ProgramReynoldsville, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $10,639
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $12,025
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- -
- Enrollment
- 39
24
Talmudical Yeshiva of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
- Avg net price
- $11,008
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $14,100
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- -
- Enrollment
- 112
25
Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell, PA · Public
- Avg net price
- $11,124
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,881
- Median debt
- $12,349
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $37,237
- Enrollment
- 9,278
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamson College of the TradesMedia, PA · Private nonprofit | $1,54596% of the leader · rank #1 | $1,545 | - | - | 322 |
| 2 | Westmoreland County Community CollegeYoungwood, PA · Public | $5,16788% of the leader · rank #2 | $2,972 | $11,000 | $35,899 | 3,990 |
| 3 | Susquehanna County Career and Technology CenterSpringville, PA · Public | $5,59487% of the leader · rank #3 | $5,847 | - | $34,886 | 23 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania Highlands Community CollegeJohnstown, PA · Public | $6,20086% of the leader · rank #4 | $2,945 | $11,000 | $32,465 | 2,501 |
| 5 | Butler County Community CollegeButler, PA · Public | $6,23386% of the leader · rank #5 | $4,083 | $10,020 | $33,920 | 2,317 |
| 6 | Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown, PA · Public | $6,38985% of the leader · rank #6 | $3,725 | $12,000 | $39,454 | 6,232 |
| 7 | Valley Forge Military CollegeWayne, PA · Private nonprofit | $6,39885% of the leader · rank #7 | $6,398 | $9,500 | $36,080 | 97 |
| 8 | Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA · Public | $6,57685% of the leader · rank #8 | $5,591 | $13,250 | $37,658 | 7,402 |
| 9 | Laurel Technical InstituteHermitage, PA · Private for-profit | $6,77885% of the leader · rank #9 | $4,533 | $10,706 | $24,397 | 163 |
| 10 | Schuylkill Technology CenterFrackville, PA · Public | $6,79784% of the leader · rank #10 | $6,607 | $15,275 | $46,804 | 102 |
| 11 | Community College of Beaver CountyMonaca, PA · Public | $6,93784% of the leader · rank #11 | $4,392 | $14,923 | $38,184 | 1,936 |
| 12 | Butler Beauty Academy-Kittanning Beauty AcademyKittanning, PA · Private for-profit | $7,41783% of the leader · rank #12 | $7,417 | $7,500 | $18,947 | 14 |
| 13 | Laurel Business InstituteUniontown, PA · Private for-profit | $7,82582% of the leader · rank #13 | $7,273 | $12,000 | $26,264 | 518 |
| 14 | Western Area Career & Technology CenterCanonsburg, PA · Public | $8,06682% of the leader · rank #14 | $2,520 | - | $42,272 | 23 |
| 15 | New Castle School of TradesNew Castle, PA · Private for-profit | $8,36181% of the leader · rank #15 | $8,038 | $9,567 | $41,932 | 700 |
| 16 | Butler Beauty Academy-New Castle Beauty AcademyNew Castle, PA · Private for-profit | $8,96280% of the leader · rank #16 | $8,962 | $7,500 | $18,947 | 15 |
| 17 | Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville, PA · Public | $9,20379% of the leader · rank #17 | $7,219 | $11,000 | $37,577 | 6,221 |
| 18 | Reading Area Community CollegeReading, PA · Public | $9,22879% of the leader · rank #18 | $7,968 | $8,750 | $32,565 | 5,369 |
| 19 | Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke, PA · Public | $9,43378% of the leader · rank #19 | $7,711 | $11,000 | $35,631 | 4,460 |
| 20 | Yeshivath Beth MosheScranton, PA · Private nonprofit | $9,80078% of the leader · rank #20 | $8,765 | - | - | 34 |
| 21 | Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and TechnologyPleasant Gap, PA · Public | $9,85777% of the leader · rank #21 | $8,203 | $9,454 | $41,196 | 171 |
| 22 | Butler Beauty AcademyButler, PA · Private for-profit | $10,40676% of the leader · rank #22 | $10,783 | $7,500 | $18,947 | 26 |
| 23 | Jefferson County Dubois Area Vocational Technical Practical Nursing ProgramReynoldsville, PA · Public | $10,63976% of the leader · rank #23 | $12,025 | - | - | 39 |
| 24 | Talmudical Yeshiva of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit | $11,00875% of the leader · rank #24 | $14,100 | - | - | 112 |
| 25 | Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell, PA · Public | $11,12475% of the leader · rank #25 | $7,881 | $12,349 | $37,237 | 9,278 |
Showing the 25 cheapest of 261 Scorecard-reporting Pennsylvania schools. The remaining 236 are ranked in the same net-price order but omitted from this HTML table so the page stays crawlable.
Look up any institution's exact rank via My School Profile, or open its school page for income-bracket net price, debt, and earnings.
What this means for you
Use Pennsylvania's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- Williamson College of the Trades reports the lowest average net price in Pennsylvania, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View Williamson College of
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Pennsylvania safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. This page lists the 25 cheapest; the title count is the full Scorecard-reporting cohort for Pennsylvania. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.