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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. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at West Hills College-Lemoore. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Merced College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,890.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. This medium-sized public school is located in Redwood City, California, and it awarded 462 associate degrees 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Canada College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. 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.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $17,141 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at SBCC, 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, 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. Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,629 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Cuesta College full time pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees. 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 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 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Foothill College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Foothill College is a fairly large public school located in Los Altos Hills, California that handed out 998 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Foothill College. Out-of-state students 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. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Saddleback 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 #7 on the list. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,760 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees if they attend Saddleback College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,814. On average, associate degree students take out $8,010 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Saddleback College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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. This small public school is located in Napa, California, and it awarded 612 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Napa Valley College full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. 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. In 2020-2021 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gavilan College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Gilroy, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 641 students 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Gavilan College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Angwin, California, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 103 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
San Joaquin Delta 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 #11 on the list. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,631 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Depending on your major, you 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 landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Aptos, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,994 students in 2021-2022.
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.
Cabrillo College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. 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. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SRJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Yuba College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Marysville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,330 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Yuba College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,488.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Yuba College. 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 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 public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,193 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,336 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Butte College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,816. Associate Degree recipients from Butte College accumulate an average of $12,921 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Butte College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, West Hills College-Coalinga did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Coalinga, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 533 students 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 came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,386 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno City College full time. 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Fresno City College. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Desert landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. College of the Desert is a fairly large public school situated in Palm Desert, California. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. 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.
Cerritos 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. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school situated in Norwalk, California. 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,324. On average, associate degree students take out $13,198 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cerritos College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Sacramento City is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,884 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,597 in student loans.
Sacramento City does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
American River College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, the large public school awarded 2,570 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Santa Clarita, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,257 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend College of the Canyons full time pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Canyons accumulate an average of $13,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that College of the Canyons does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of the Sequoias landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,782 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of the Sequoias is $1,394. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Modesto Junior College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,308.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
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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