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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools
There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 895 schools in the United States to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best school in the United States for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and it awarded 1,276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Columbia Southern University is $6,015. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,106 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Columbia Southern University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Waldorf University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Waldorf is a private for-profit institution located in Forest City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 116 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $24,526 to cover tuition and fees at Waldorf. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Waldorf accumulate an average of $15,988 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Waldorf does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Bismarck State College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 759 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they attend BSC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,227. Associate Degree recipients from BSC accumulate an average of $12,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BSC. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Excelsior University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Albany, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,240 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Excelsior University accumulate an average of $12,110 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Excelsior University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
West Hills College-Lemoore landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Lemoore, California, and it awarded 767 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,678 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ranken Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Ranken Technical College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 403 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College is $16,960. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Ranken Technical College accumulate an average of $12,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Miami University - Hamilton landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Hamilton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 111 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,704 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Hamilton full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,490. On average, associate degree students take out $21,499 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Miami University - Hamilton 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, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Merced College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,615 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Merced Community College District. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,890.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #11, Herzing University - Akron did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Akron, Ohio, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 109 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Herzing Akron does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,750. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,352 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing Akron. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Miami University - Middletown landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Miami University - Middletown is a small public school situated in Middletown, Ohio. It awarded 66 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,670 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Middletown full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,390. On average, associate degree students take out $21,499 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Miami University - Middletown 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. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Canada College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Redwood City, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 462 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they attend Canada College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,006. On average, associate degree students take out $16,256 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Canada 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Herzing University - Atlanta did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Herzing University - Atlanta is $12,750. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Atlanta accumulate an average of $26,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Herzing University - Atlanta 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. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rockhurst University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Rockhurst is located in Kansas City, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 29 associate degrees to qualified students.
Rockhurst does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $41,701. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $9,940 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rockhurst 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Fennimore, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 220 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Southwest Tech full time pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,731. Associate Degree recipients from Southwest Tech accumulate an average of $10,841 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwest Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,590 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they attend SBCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,322. On average, associate degree students take out $17,141 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SBCC. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Herzing University - Birmingham came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 90 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Herzing University - Birmingham does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,750. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $23,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Birmingham. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cuesta College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,629 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they attend Cuesta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,348. On average, associate degree students take out $17,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Foothill College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, the fairly large public school handed out 998 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Foothill College is $1,565. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,510. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,968 in student loans.
Foothill 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. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Molloy College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Molloy is located in Rockville Centre, New York and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 22 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Molloy is $36,030. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Molloy. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Bay State College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Bay State College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 76 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Bay State College is $29,500. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,802 in student loans.
Bay State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Ocala, Florida, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 2,014 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Florida does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,842. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Florida. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Rockford, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 950 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois is $14,294. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Bellevue College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. BC is located in Bellevue, Washington and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,783 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $4,159. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,838. Associate Degree recipients from BC accumulate an average of $14,298 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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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