Ground Transportation at New Castle School of Trades

New Castle School of Trades' Ground Transportation program sits right at the national median for earnings ($41,747 versus $41,414), but there's a catch: it's trailing the Pennsylvania state median by nearly $1,700. Among Pennsylvania's 18 programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning six in ten comparable programs in the state deliver better first-year outcomes. When you consider that Community College of Allegheny County graduates earn $59,000+ in the same field, there's clearly room for stronger performance within driving distance.

The program does two things right: modest debt ($7,544, slightly below national average) and consistent earnings growth (13% over four years). That debt level means graduates owe less than two months' salary, making this manageable for most. The 62% Pell grant rate shows the school serves working-class students who need practical training, and the credentials do lead to steady work with upward momentum.

For families focused purely on cost containment, this works—low debt means low financial risk. But if your child has other PA options, particularly community colleges with stronger industry connections, those programs are delivering significantly better outcomes in the same trade. The gap between this program and Pennsylvania's top performers isn't about bad training; it's likely about employer relationships and regional job placement.