2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 131 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Miami University - Hamilton the best school in the Great Lakes Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Hamilton, Ohio, the small public school handed out 111 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Miami University - Hamilton is $6,704. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,490. On average, associate degree students take out $21,499 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Miami University - Hamilton, 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 85% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Herzing University - Akron helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region . Herzing Akron is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 109 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Herzing Akron is $12,750. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,352 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Herzing Akron does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 131 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Miami University - Middletown landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Middletown, Ohio, the small public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Miami University - Middletown is $6,670. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,390. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,499 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Miami University - Middletown 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a small public school located in Fennimore, Wisconsin that handed out 220 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Tech full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,731. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,841 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This small private for-profit school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 950 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,294. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Herzing University - Madison came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Herzing University - Madison is a private not-for-profit institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 197 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,750 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing University - Madison. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Madison accumulate an average of $23,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Madison. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 8,655 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they attend Ivy Tech Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,835 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cincinnati State is $5,274. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,558. On average, associate degree students take out $14,555 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cincinnati State. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
DeVry University - Illinois ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Naperville, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 1,611 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois is $15,032. 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 DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $29,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ferris State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 758 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $19,257 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ferris. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small public school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 624 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Technical College is $4,636. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,788. On average, associate degree students take out $15,730 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Western Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, James A Rhodes State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rhodes State College is a public institution located in Lima, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 301 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend Rhodes State College full time pay an average of $4,532 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,742. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,353 in student loans.
Rhodes State 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 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the very small private for-profit school awarded 171 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is $13,208. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 1,366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Madison College full time pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,812. Associate Degree recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $17,344 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Madison College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Oakton Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Oakton Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,462. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,638 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Oakton Community 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 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Chippewa Valley Technical 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. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 796 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees if they attend CVTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,793. Associate Degree recipients from CVTC accumulate an average of $16,093 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVTC. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
National Louis University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 50 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
NLU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,244. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $13,165 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NLU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 87 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at IUPUI is $10,144. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,582. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,702 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at IUPUI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, University of Northwestern Ohio did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Lima, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 996 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend University of Northwestern Ohio, expect to pay an average of $11,867 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from University of Northwestern Ohio accumulate an average of $17,602 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at University of Northwestern Ohio. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Northcentral Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. North Central Technical College is a public institution located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 478 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend North Central Technical College full time pay an average of $3,791 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,512. Associate Degree recipients from North Central Technical College accumulate an average of $9,408 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
North Central Technical 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 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
William Rainey Harper College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,920 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Harper College is $9,942. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,754. On average, associate degree students take out $13,214 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Harper 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, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 641 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they attend WCTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,722. Associate Degree recipients from WCTC accumulate an average of $17,845 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WCTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rock Valley College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rock Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,384. On average, associate degree students take out $10,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rock Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FVTC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,977. Associate Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $11,433 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FVTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 31% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.
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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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