Best colleges for Building/Construction Finishing in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania College of Technology, Orleans Technical College and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology are the top Building/Construction Finishing programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Pennsylvania College of Technology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,225, College Scorecard. Pennsylvania College of Technology, Philadelphia Technician Training and New Castle School of Trades award the most Building/Construction Finishing degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 76, 37 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Pennsylvania colleges offer Building/Construction Finishing and award 249 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for various roles in the construction trades. This program is ideal for individuals interested in overseeing…
Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport Public · Associate degree | $44,225 | 76 | 53% | — | $17,500 |
| 2 | Orleans Technical College Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $39,735 | 27 | 90% | $19,184 | $7,521 |
| 3 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster Public · Associate degree | $36,873 | 28 | 71% | — | — |
| 4 | New Castle School of Trades New Castle Private for-profit · Associate degree | $31,601 | 32 | 76% | $7,553 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Building/Construction Finishing degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport Public | 76 | $44,225 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Technician Training Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 37 | Not reported |
| 3 | New Castle School of Trades New Castle Private for-profit | 32 | $31,601 |
| 4 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster Public | 28 | $36,873 |
| 5 | Orleans Technical College Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 27 | $39,735 |
| 6 | Commonwealth Technical Institute Johnstown Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | Johnson College Scranton Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Lehigh Carbon Community College Schnecksville Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Pennsylvania colleges offering Building/Construction Finishing
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Public | 15 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Public | 7 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Construction and Building Inspectors (SOC 47-4011).
Top skills
What Construction and Building Inspectors earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Building/Construction Finishing programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Building/Construction Finishing degrees?+
Pennsylvania College of Technology (76 graduates a year), Philadelphia Technician Training (37 graduates a year) and New Castle School of Trades (32 graduates a year) award the most Building/Construction Finishing degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Pennsylvania colleges offer Building/Construction Finishing.
What is the best college for Building/Construction Finishing in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Pennsylvania College of Technology leads among Building/Construction Finishing programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,225, College Scorecard. Orleans Technical College and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology follow. By degrees awarded, Pennsylvania College of Technology is the largest, with 76 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Building/Construction Finishing program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania College of Technology tops the list at $44,225. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Pennsylvania is $69,540 (median $65,870), across about 5,320 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Building/Construction Finishing program?+
The Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for various roles in the construction trades. This program is ideal for individuals interested in overseeing…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Construction and Building Inspectors?+
The national job outlook is about -0.8% growth with around 14,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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