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), 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. New Castle School of Trades has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | New Castle School of Trades | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 13.40 | 15.63 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,361 | $6,200 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $44,814 ✓ | $38,752 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.9% ✓ | 38.3% |
| Median debt | $9,567 ✓ | $11,000 |
| Enrollment | 700 | 788 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
New Castle School of Trades costs $2,161 more per year than Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ($8,361 vs $6,200). New Castle School of Trades graduates report $6,062 higher median earnings after ten years ($44,814 vs $38,752). On EduGradify's model that puts Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ahead on projected ROI (15.63 vs 13.40, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Pennsylvania Highlands Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
New Castle School of Trades vs Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is New Castle School of Trades or Pennsylvania Highlands Community College the better value?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (15.63 vs 13.40), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
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 median earnings ten years after entry: $44,814 vs $38,752 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $6,062.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. New Castle School of Trades reports a A value grade; Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports A.