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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.
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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. Located in Lemoore, California, the small public school awarded 767 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from West Hills College-Lemoore accumulate an average of $12,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 67 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Merced College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Merced Community College District is located in Merced, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,615 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Merced Community College District is $1,194. 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. 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 be in good company if you decide to attend Canada College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Canada College is located in Redwood City, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 462 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Canada College is $1,362. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,006. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,256 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Canada College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Barbara City College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,590 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they attend SBCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SBCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cuesta College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,629 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they attend Cuesta College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,988 in student loans.
Cuesta 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, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Foothill College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Los Altos Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 998 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees if they attend Foothill College full time. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Foothill College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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. Mission Viejo, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,760 students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Saddleback College full time pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,814. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,010 in student loans.
Saddleback 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 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Napa Valley College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Napa Valley College is located in Napa, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 612 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they attend Napa Valley College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,388.
Napa Valley 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Gavilan College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Gavilan College is a small public school located in Gilroy, California that handed out 641 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,166 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gavilan College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,238.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gavilan College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
Pacific Union College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Angwin, California is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 103 students in 2021-2022.
PUC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,678. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,608 in loans while pursuing their degree.
PUC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,631 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Delta. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they attend Mt. SAC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,096. Associate Degree recipients from Mt. SAC accumulate an average of $12,514 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 Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cabrillo College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. This medium-sized public school is located in Aptos, California, and it awarded 1,994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees if they attend Cabrillo College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,630.
Cabrillo 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 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Rosa Junior 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 #14 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 2,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees if they attend SRJC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,310. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,618 in student loans.
SRJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Yuba 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 #15 on the list. 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.
In-state students pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they attend Yuba College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,488.
Online courses are available at Yuba College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Butte 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 #16 on the list. Butte College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oroville, California. It awarded 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Butte College. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
West Hills College-Coalinga ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since West Hills College-Coalinga does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, Fresno City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,386 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Fresno City College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,890. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,603 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Fresno City College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of the Desert 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. College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,412 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,326 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Desert full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,138.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of the Desert. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cerritos College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Norwalk, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,591 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,364 in tuition and fees if they attend Cerritos College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Online courses are available at Cerritos College, 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 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sacramento City College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Sacramento City is a fairly large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 1,884 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Sacramento City accumulate an average of $12,597 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 Sacramento City does offer online classes for certain majors. 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. American River is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,570 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,842 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at American River. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Canyons 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 #23 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Clarita, California, and it awarded 3,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Canyons. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322. On average, associate degree students take out $13,145 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that College of the Canyons does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of the Sequoias came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school located in Visalia, California that handed out 1,782 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Sequoias full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,338. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,218 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Modesto Junior College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Modesto, California, and it awarded 2,385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MJC is $1,276. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,308.
One thing to take note of is that MJC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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