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2026 Best Trade Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Trade associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 4630 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best Trade school in the United States. Based in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Columbia Southern University graduates 26% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Columbia Southern University Trade students take on a median of $25,447 in debt. Read more about Columbia Southern University
Waldorf College came in at #2 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Set in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Waldorf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $24,622. Get the full Waldorf College report
Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. More on Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania
The strong Trade programs at Clarion University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place in the United States. Graduates carry a median of $27,364 in student loans. More on Clarion University Of Pennsylvania
The strong Trade programs at Bismarck State College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. The median Trade program debt is $13,340. Read the full report on Bismarck State College
Excelsior College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Trade program debt is $19,311. Read the full report on Excelsior College
West Hills College Lemoore placed #7 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Lemoore, CA, West Hills College Lemoore is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. West Hills College Lemoore Trade students take on a median of $9,687 in debt. See the full West Hills College Lemoore profile
Ranken Technical College placed #8 among Trade schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Ranken Technical College graduates 31% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,008. Typical Trade student debt is $13,989. Get the full Ranken Technical College report
Miami University Hamilton landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Hamilton, OH, Miami University Hamilton is a public institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. The median Trade program debt is $23,763. Read the full report on Miami University Hamilton
Merced College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Merced, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical Trade student debt is $9,024. Read the full report on Merced College
Akron Institute Of Herzing University placed #11 among Trade schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Akron, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Typical Trade student debt is $32,277. Read the full report on Akron Institute Of Herzing University
Miami University Middletown did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Middletown, OH, Miami University Middletown is a public institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Graduates carry a median of $23,575 in student loans. See the full Miami University Middletown profile
Canada College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Canada College is a public school based in Redwood City, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. The median Trade program debt is $15,000. Read the full report on Canada College
Herzing University Atlanta landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Atlanta graduates 18% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Students borrow a median of $34,030 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Herzing University Atlanta
Rockhurst University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Kansas City, MO, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Rockhurst University Trade students take on a median of $24,111 in debt. See the full Rockhurst University profile
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $12,112. See the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College profile
Santa Barbara City College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Santa Barbara City College report
Herzing University Birmingham did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Typical Trade student debt is $29,954. See the full Herzing University Birmingham profile
Cuesta College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Cuesta College profile
Foothill College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Los Altos Hills, CA, Foothill College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical Trade student debt is $11,595. More on Foothill College
Molloy College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,420 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Molloy College
Bay State College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. The median Trade program debt is $33,374. Read more about Bay State College
Rasmussen College Florida ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. Students from in state pay about $16,256 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $28,798. See the full Rasmussen College Florida profile
Rasmussen College Illinois ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Rasmussen College Illinois
Bellevue College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Bellevue, WA, Bellevue College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,436, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical Trade student debt is $18,839. More on Bellevue College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Saddleback College placed #26 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Mission Viejo, CA, Saddleback College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Saddleback College Trade students take on a median of $5,707 in debt. More on Saddleback College
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #27 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Elizabethtown, KY, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Elizabethtown Community And Technical College Trade students take on a median of $12,245 in debt. See the full Elizabethtown Community And Technical College profile
Herzing University Madison placed #28 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Madison graduates 22% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Herzing University Madison Trade students take on a median of $30,328 in debt. Read more about Herzing University Madison
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Klamath Falls, OR, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Oregon Institute Of Technology graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Graduates carry a median of $27,551 in student loans. Read more about Oregon Institute Of Technology
Herzing University Kenner did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Metairie, LA, Herzing University Kenner is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. The median Trade program debt is $33,897. Get the full Herzing University Kenner report
Danville Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Danville, VA, Danville Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Danville Community College report
Tunxis Community College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Typical Trade student debt is $13,525. Get the full Tunxis Community College report
Ivy Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #33 position. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #34 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Alexandria Technical And Community College report
St Catherine University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. See the full St Catherine University profile
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #37 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Delaware Technical Community College Terry Trade students take on a median of $11,154 in debt. Get the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry report
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $17,730. Get the full Cincinnati State Technical And Community College report
Union County College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Cranford, NJ, Union County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical Trade student debt is $14,218. Read more about Union County College
Napa Valley College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Napa, CA, Napa Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,908 for out-of-state students. Read more about Napa Valley College
Utah State University placed #41 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Utah State University report
Gavilan College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Gilroy, CA, Gavilan College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Gavilan College
Devry University Illinois placed #43 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Lisle, IL, Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Devry University Illinois graduates 18% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $43,684 in student loans. Read the full report on Devry University Illinois
Pacific Union College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Angwin, CA, Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,173 in tuition and fees. Pacific Union College Trade students take on a median of $29,400 in debt. Read more about Pacific Union College
Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $13,366. Read more about Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Gateway Community College New Haven landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. The median Trade program debt is $12,059. See the full Gateway Community College New Haven profile
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a public school based in Richmond, KY. Eastern Kentucky University graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Eastern Kentucky University report
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a public school based in Stockton, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. More on San Joaquin Delta College
Widener University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Widener University Main Campus profile
Central Arizona College placed #50 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Coolidge, AZ, Central Arizona College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical Trade student debt is $11,635. Read the full report on Central Arizona College
Related Trade Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Trade Schools (All Levels)
- Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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