For decades, the value of a four-year college degree seemed unassailable. But the world is changing. Increasingly, people are recognizing the immense value of trade schools—those places that deliver hands-on, career-aligned training.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, recently affirmed this shift, stating during her February confirmation hearing, “Our workers deserve more postsecondary pathways, career-aligned programs, apprenticeships and on-the-job learning.” Former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, echoed that sentiment a year earlier, insisting our students shouldn’t be limited by the “four years or bust” mentality that can undervalue technical training.
Now, that shift is being recognized on a national scale.
York Tech Makes USA TODAY’s Top Vocational Schools List
USA TODAY, in collaboration with Statista, recently released its inaugural ranking of America’s Top Vocational Schools for 2025. This groundbreaking list evaluates excellence using five critical metrics:
- Graduation rate
- Graduates’ salary
- Time to repay net cost
- Social mobility
- Diversity
Data were drawn from trusted public sources like IPEDS and the College Scorecard. Schools earning high marks across these indicators were spotlighted, while unaccredited institutions or those with financial concerns or high student-loan default rates were excluded.
We’re proud to report that the Adult & Continuing Education Center at York County School of Technology earned a well-deserved place on this prestigious national list. In doing so, our school stands among only 250 vocational institutions in the country to receive this honor—and one of just 12 from Pennsylvania.
Why This Recognition Matters
Validation of Our Model
- This ranking underscores the value of the Adult & Continuing Education at York County School of Technology’s hands-on, workforce-aligned programming, which is designed to translate directly into real-world career readiness.
A National Spotlight
- Amid growing trade school enrollment, including a nearly 5% increase nationwide from 2020 to 2023, this recognition elevates York Tech’s profile as a leader in technical education.
Momentum Behind Policy Shifts
- With policymakers on both sides endorsing vocational pathways, and federal support expanding (for example, eligibility for Pell Grants extended to career training as brief as eight weeks starting in July 2026), vocational education is experiencing renewed emphasis and opportunity
About York County School of Technology’s Adult & Continuing Education Center
Founded in 1969, York County School of Technology launched its Adult Education Department to serve as York County’s premier post-secondary technical school. Today, our Adult & Continuing Education Center stands as an accredited, open-access institution of higher learning, enabling students, residents, and service members to pursue personal and professional growth through innovative, career-boosting programs.
Located at 2179 S. Queen Street, just off Interstate 83 (exit 16A) in South-Central Pennsylvania—about 30 miles south of Harrisburg—York Tech serves dual roles as both a technical high school and a post-secondary technical institution.
Highlights and achievements include:
- First in the state to receive full public postsecondary vocational accreditation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2005).
- Serving over 1,000 adult students annually across a wide array of high-skill, high-wage technical programs leading to industry-recognized credentials.
- A curriculum carefully aligned with community workforce needs, featuring lab-based classes, clinics, externships, and direct workplace experiences.
- Faculty with deep business, industrial, and clinical expertise—ensuring practical, career-ready instruction.
- A proud legacy of “changing lives, empowering students, and enhancing the civic vitality of our community” through top-tier education, training, services, and partnerships.
A Bright Future Driven by Purpose and Recognition
Earning national recognition from USA TODAY is a testament to our mission: offering inclusive, impactful educational pathways that prepare students for meaningful careers—without the burden of unnecessary debt. As public sentiment and policy continue to embrace the value of trade and technical education, Adult & Continuing Education Center at York County School of Technology is positioned at the forefront.
Thank you to our dedicated leadership, staff, students, and community partners—together, we transform futures every day. Interested in becoming part of our story? Check out our programs and apply today for an Education That Pays.
