10 Best Trade Schools inScranton, PA

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Four-year degrees can be expensive but the good news is that trade schools offer hands-on programs that are more affordable and can be completed in only a few months.

Scranton trade schools can prepare you for a career as a medical assistant, esthetician, welder, professional driver, and many other in-demand occupations.

On this page, we will compile information about the best trade schools in your region and the programs available.

Students may earn associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas, depending on the career path they choose.

Costs range from a few hundred dollars to more than $30,000, depending on the program, its duration, the school, and the credentials it leads to.

By attending one of the schools on our list you may prepare for in-demand careers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, or the beauty industry.

Our selection includes hands-on on-campus programs as well as online training programs that can be completed by students at their own pace from the comfort of their homes.



1Fortis Institute

About the School

Fortis Institute prepares students for careers in vital sectors such as CDL commercial driving, nursing, and healthcare, as well as skilled trades.

The institute uses a blended learning approach that combines traditional classroom instruction with hands-on skill-building labs and externships.

Fortis Institute has two campuses in Pennsylvania: Forty Fort and Scranton.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at Fortis Institute:

  • Practical Nursing
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • Medical Assisting
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dental Assisting

Program duration and costs vary depending on the program and the credentials it leads to.

The Medical Assisting program costs $17,597 in total while the Dental Hygiene program costs $60,409.

The above costs include tuition, administration, and technology fees, student kit/computer, certification/licensure exam, and ebooks/textbooks.

Contact Information


2Johnson College of Technology

About the School

Johnson College of Technology is a private, two-year college that offers 18 associate degrees and four academic certificate programs, focusing on providing students with the technical skills and general education that prepare students for success in a demanding, industry-driven world.

The college provides real-world hands-on training in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into a new occupation or advance in their current careers.

The 44-acre campus in Scranton includes classrooms, laboratories, and administrative offices.

Courses Offered

The college offers the following divisions of study:

  • Building Trades & Technology
  • Electronic and Industrial
  • Health and Animal Sciences
  • Transportation
  • General Education Curriculum

Tuition is $18,408 per year.

Additional fees apply depending on the program.

Contact Information

  • Address: 3427 N. Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508
  • Phone: 570-342-6404
  • Website: https://johnson.edu

3Career Technology Center

About the School

Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County is a consortium of eight school districts in the Northeastern Region of Pennsylvania.

The center opened in 1973 for the high school students in the area and provides instruction in 17 different career areas.

Courses Offered

The program list includes:

  • Automated Manufacturing Technology
  • Building Mechanics
  • Carpentry
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Health Occupations
  • HVAC
  • Information Systems Technology- Cyber Security
  • Masonry
  • Plumbing and Heating
  • Service Occupations
  • Welding
  • And more

The curriculum varies depending on the program.

The Automated Manufacturing Technology program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks of an entry-level technician in the ever-changing manufacturing industry.

Students learn safety precautions and demonstrate shop safety in their daily tasks.

Contact Information


4Penn Foster

About the School

Penn Foster offers a variety of recognized certificate, diploma, and degree programs.

Students learn on their own time, around their schedule.

The school offers programs designed to prepare students for in-demand industries, from healthcare to skilled trades.

Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Courses Offered

Penn Foster offers the following programs:

  • Medical Administrative Assistant- a four-month program
  • Dental Assistant- a three-month program
  • Pharmacy Technician Professional- a 13-month program
  • IT Support Specialist- a three-month program
  • Residential Electrician- a seven-month program
  • Veterinary Assistant- a 12-month program

Contact Information


5Lakawanna College

About the School

Lackawanna College offers several technical education programs in partnership with Northumberland County Career & Technology Education.

Northumberland County Career & Technology Education offers the best technical service and trade programs to allow students to earn an advantage in the labor market and/or prepare for post-secondary education.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at Lackawanna College:

  • Culinary Arts
  • Healthcare Occupations
  • Occupational Child Care
  • Protective Services

Lackawanna College is approved by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education to grant bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and professional certificates and is accredited by the Community of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Contact Information


6Lincoln Tech

About the School

Lincoln Tech offers a variety of training programs at its two Pennsylvania campuses: Allentown and Philadelphia

The school has specialized training labs and classrooms, equipped to meet the needs of students on the path to careers in electrical, healthcare, and information technology industries.

Courses Offered

The following training programs are available at the school:

  • Computer Systems Support Technician
  • Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology
  • Medical Assistant
  • Practical Nursing

The campus has the following features:

  • Information Technology training rooms
  • Medical training labs and simulation manikins

Tutoring services are available as needed.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program, its duration, and the type of diploma it leads to.

The Medical Assistant program costs $23,266 while the Computer and Network Support Technician program costs $36,145.

Contact Information


7Cedar Crest Colleg

About the School

Cedar Crest College offers more than 40 degree programs that lead to certificates or degrees.

The 84-acre campus includes a nationally-registered arboretum with more than 130 species of trees.

The college has a history of more than 150 years and was originally founded as Allentown Female College.

It offers flexible pathways to achieving bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates in high-demand fields for both men and women.

Courses Offered

The college offers programs such as:

  • Business: Healthcare Management
  • Business, Human Resource Management
  • Nursing: School Nurse
  • Optometry
  • Web Design
  • And more

Contact Information


8Eastern Atlantic States- Carpenters Technical Centers

About the School

Eastern Atlantic States- Carpenters Technical Centers gives students the opportunity to choose from various different trades at seven convenient locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers are accredited by the Commission of Council on Occupational Education.

Courses Offered

The following trades are available:

  • Carpenter- students prepare for work in diverse settings, constructing structures of all sizes and complexities
  • Floor Layers- trainees learn how to install various types of flooring materials
  • Pile Drivers- trainees specialize in various construction tasks
  • Upholsters- the program prepares skilled craftsmen with the ability to use industrial sewing machines, hand tools, and other power tools
  • Locksmith- students learn about the locks of today
  • Casino In-House- entry-level concepts and principles of proper door & hardware installation
  • Millwright- prepares skilled craftsmen to install, maintain, repair, and diagnose complex machinery
  • Mill/Cabinet- teaches students how to bring architectural designs to reality by crafting and installing a wide range of woodwork, cabinetry, furniture, and decor.

Contact Information


9Central Penn College

Central Penn College opens opportunities for students from a variety of academic backgrounds by providing the education needed for employment and advancement in their fields.

The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Courses Offered

The program offers degree and certificate programs in fields such as:

  • Business Administration
  • Health Science
  • Healthcare Management
  • Bookkeeping Certificate
  • Dental Assistant Certificate
  • Medical Assisting Diploma
  • Medical Billing & Coding Certificate
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Sports Management Certificate
  • Associate in Applied Science in Child Care Management
  • Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology
  • And more

Contact Information

  • Address: Central Penn College, 600 Valley Rd., P.O. Box 309, Summerdale, PA 17093-0309
  • Phone: 800-759-2727
  • Website: https://www.centralpenn.edu

10YTI Career Institute

About the School

YTI Career Institute offers a variety of training programs at three Pennsylvania campuses in Altoona, Lancaster, and York.

The Lancaster campus opened in 2003 and has graduated 5,429 students.

The institute offers programs in Business, Computer, Culinary Arts, Healthcare, and Trades fields.

Courses Offered

The following career training programs are available at the institute:

  • Computer-Aided Drafting and Design
  • Computer and Data Management
  • Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management
  • Cybersecurity
  • Dental Assisting
  • Medical Assistant
  • Electrical Technology
  • Health Information Management
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Pastry Arts
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Veterinary Technician
  • And more

YTI Career Institute has memberships and affiliations with institutions such as:

  • Accrediting Commission of Schools & Colleges
  • American Academy for Professional Coders
  • American Culinary Federation
  • Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association
  • And more

Contact Information

  • Address: 380 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
  • Phone: (717) 295-1100
  • Website: https://yti.edu

Final Thoughts

Now that you have read our selection of the best trade schools in Scranton, Pennsylvania it’s time to discover what career path you want to pursue and choose the program that will help you become ready for entry-level employment in the field of your choice.

This is an important step, so make sure you gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you before deciding where to enroll.


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