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 2023 rankings named West Hills College-Lemoore the best school in California for trade school students working on their associate degree. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small public school located in Lemoore, California that handed out 767 associate degrees 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at West Hills College-Lemoore. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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 a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,615 associate degrees 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,890.
Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 a public institution located in Redwood City, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 462 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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.
Depending on your major, you 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Barbara City College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 2,590 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SBCC. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SBCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% 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 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. 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. 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 ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, the fairly large public school handed out 998 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees if they attend Foothill College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,510. On average, associate degree students take out $12,968 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Foothill College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saddleback College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,760 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Saddleback College. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. This small public school is located in Napa, California, and it awarded 612 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Napa Valley College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,388.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Napa Valley College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Gavilan College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,238.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gavilan College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Pacific Union College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PUC. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Delta is located in Stockton, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,631 associate degrees to qualified students.
One thing to take note of is that Delta does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mt. San Antonio College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,096. On average, associate degree students take out $12,514 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Mt. SAC 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 10% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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.
One thing to take note of is that Cabrillo College 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.
With a ranking of #14, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 2,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SRJC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Yuba College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Yuba College is $1,128. Out-of-state students 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Butte College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,193 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butte College is $1,336. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,816. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,921 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
West Hills College-Coalinga came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. West Hills College-Coalinga is a public institution located in Coalinga, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 533 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $7,816 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that West Hills College-Coalinga does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Fresno City College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Fresno City College is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 2,386 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno City College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,890. On average, associate degree students take out $4,603 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of the Desert ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Palm Desert, California, and it awarded 1,412 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,326 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Desert full time. Out-of-state students 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. Cerritos College is a public institution located in Norwalk, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,591 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,364 in tuition and fees if they attend Cerritos College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,324. On average, associate degree students take out $13,198 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Cerritos College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Sacramento City College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Sacramento, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,884 students 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.
One thing to take note of is that Sacramento City does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
American River 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 #22 on the list. American River College is a large public school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 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.
American River 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 82% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Canyons landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 3,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Canyons full time. 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. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, College of the Sequoias did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Visalia, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,782 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Sequoias. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,338. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Sequoias accumulate an average of $9,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Sequoias. 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.
With a ranking of #25, Modesto Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Modesto, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,385 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,276 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MJC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,308.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MJC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online 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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