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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 67 schools in California to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found West Hills College-Lemoore to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Lemoore, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 767 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,678 in student loans.
West Hills College-Lemoore 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 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Merced College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,615 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,890.
Online courses are available at Merced Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Canada College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Redwood City, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 462 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Canada College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,006. Associate Degree recipients from Canada College accumulate an average of $16,256 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Canada College. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Santa Barbara City College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in California. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,590 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SBCC is $1,234. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from SBCC accumulate an average of $17,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SBCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Cuesta College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,629 students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cuesta College full time pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348. Associate Degree recipients from Cuesta College accumulate an average of $17,988 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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 #6 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Los Altos Hills, California, and it awarded 998 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Foothill College is $1,565. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,510. Associate Degree recipients from Foothill College accumulate an average of $12,968 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in Mission Viejo, California that handed out 3,760 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Saddleback College is $1,334. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,814. Associate Degree recipients from Saddleback College accumulate an average of $8,010 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Saddleback College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #8, Napa Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Napa, California, the small public school awarded 612 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Napa Valley College full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,388.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Napa Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, Gavilan College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Gilroy, California, the small public school handed out 641 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gavilan College is $1,166. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,238.
Gavilan College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pacific Union 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 #10 on the list. Located in Angwin, California, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 103 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at PUC is $33,678. 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 PUC accumulate an average of $27,608 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at PUC. 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 #11, San Joaquin Delta College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Stockton, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,631 students in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Delta does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio 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 #12 on the list. Located in Walnut, California, the large public school handed out 3,780 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mt. SAC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,096. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,514 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 10% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cabrillo College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,994 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cabrillo College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,630.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cabrillo College. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,210 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SRJC is $1,318. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,310. Associate Degree recipients from SRJC accumulate an average of $15,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SRJC 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 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, Yuba College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Yuba College is located in Marysville, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,330 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Yuba College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,488.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Yuba College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Butte College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Butte College is a medium-sized public school located in Oroville, California that handed out 1,193 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butte College is $1,336. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,816. On average, associate degree students take out $12,921 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Butte College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
West Hills College-Coalinga 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 #17 on the list. This small public school is located in Coalinga, California, and it awarded 533 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,816 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at West Hills College-Coalinga. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Fresno City 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 #18 on the list. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,386 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Fresno City College full time pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,890. Associate Degree recipients from Fresno City College accumulate an average of $4,603 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Fresno City College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, College of the Desert did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Palm Desert, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,412 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend College of the Desert full time pay an average of $1,326 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,138.
One thing to take note of is that College of the Desert does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cerritos College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 2,591 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cerritos College full time pay an average of $1,364 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,324. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,198 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cerritos College. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 1,884 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,597 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Sacramento City. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
American River College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. This large public school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 2,570 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from American River accumulate an average of $12,842 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at American River. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 3,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend College of the Canyons full time pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,145 in student loans.
Online courses are available at College of the Canyons, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of the Sequoias 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 #24 on the list. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 1,782 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of the Sequoias is $1,394. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,338. On average, associate degree students take out $9,218 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of the Sequoias. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Modesto Junior College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. MJC is a fairly large public school situated in Modesto, California. It awarded 2,385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,276 in tuition and fees if they attend MJC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,308.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MJC. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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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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