2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Our analysis looked at 198 schools in Pennsylvania to see which undergraduate certificate programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Community College of Allegheny County the most popular school in Pennsylvania for students working on their undergraduate certificate. CCAC is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 504 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $8,323 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCAC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,863. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from CCAC accumulate an average of $17,933 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.
Online courses are available at CCAC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Universal Technical Institute - Exton is a great place for students working on their undergraduate certificate. This small private for-profit school is located in Exton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 412 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,502 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 5% were women.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Philadelphia Technician Training helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Technician Training is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 349 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,602 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 32% were women.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Pennco Tech-Bristol helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Pennsylvania. Pennco Tech-Bristol is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 286 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,194 in student loans. Around 7% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown is a great place for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Allentown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 274 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,968 in student loans. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 259 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend HACC full time pay an average of $8,295 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,818. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,555 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
HACC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Delaware County Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Delaware County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Media, Pennsylvania that handed out 243 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $9,900 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Delaware County Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,740. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,230 in student loans. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Delaware County Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #8, Institute of Medical Careers did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Institute of Medical Careers is a private for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 225 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Institute of Medical Careers accumulate an average of $20,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
Institute of Medical Careers does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
All-State Career School - Lester landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Lester, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 197 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,616 in student loans. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since All-State Career School - Lester does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 18% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bella Capelli Academy came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Bella Capelli Academy a Paul Mitchell partner school is a private for-profit institution located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 186 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Bella Capelli Academy a Paul Mitchell partner school accumulate an average of $11,453 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
Great Lakes Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a very small private for-profit school located in Erie, Pennsylvania that handed out 194 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,421 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 163 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,650 to cover tuition and fees at PIA. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from PIA accumulate an average of $17,351 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 9% of those degree recipients were women.
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. This very small public school is located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 162 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center accumulate an average of $14,897 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Read full report on Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
With a ranking of #14, Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Reading, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 158 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at RHSHS is $13,334. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $26,342 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
With a ranking of #15, YTI Career Institute-York did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in York, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 145 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from YTI accumulate an average of $10,788 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at YTI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, CDE Career Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. CDE Career Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 144 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,884 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
If you want to attend UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, expect to pay an average of $15,545 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing accumulate an average of $30,458 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
Prism Career Institute, Philadelphia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Prism Career Institute is a very small private for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 144 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Prism Career Institute accumulate an average of $17,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.
Jean Madeline Aveda Institute came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is a very small private for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 144 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology accumulate an average of $14,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Automotive Training Center - Exton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. This very small private for-profit school is located in Exton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 137 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,879 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
New Castle School of Trades ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,111 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 10% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 123 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing, expect to pay an average of $12,626 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing accumulate an average of $20,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Lancaster County Career and Technology Center is a public institution located in Willow Street, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 123 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,806 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
Drexel University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Drexel is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Drexel is $57,136. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Drexel does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #25, Lincoln Technical Institute - Philadelphia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school handed out 119 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,500 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
Read full report on Lincoln Technical Institute - Philadelphia
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania
Not only did these schools make the top 29 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
View Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Pittsburgh Technical College | Oakdale, PA |
| 32 | Penn Commercial Business/Technical School | Washington, PA |
| 33 | The Beauty Institute-Ambler | Ambler, PA |
| 34 | Automotive Training Center - Warminster | Warminster, PA |
| 35 | Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley | Moosic, PA |
| 36 | Metro Beauty Academy | Allentown, PA |
| 37 | Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg | Harrisburg, PA |
| 37 | Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA |
| 39 | Lenape Technical School Practical Nursing Program | Ford City, PA |
| 40 | Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA |
| 40 | Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit LPN Career | Lewisburg, PA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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