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 analysis found Miami University - Hamilton to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Great Lakes Region .
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,318 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Miami University - Hamilton. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,943. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,050 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Miami University - Hamilton does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% 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 Herzing University - Akron. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,200 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing Akron. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,509 in student loans.
Herzing Akron does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Miami University - Middletown helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region .
In-state students pay an average of $6,318 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Middletown full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,303. On average, associate degree students take out $26,050 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Miami University - Middletown does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region .
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southwest Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,718 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,883. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Herzing University - Madison 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.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,200 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 $33,029 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Ivy Tech Community 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,927. Associate Degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $15,984 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cincinnati State is $5,040. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,090. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,224 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cincinnati State does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report
DeVry University - Illinois 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 #9 on the list.
DeVry University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $35,424 in loans while pursuing their degree.
DeVry University - Illinois 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 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Ferris State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.
Associate Degree recipients from Ferris accumulate an average of $19,950 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ferris. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Western Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Technical College is $4,572. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,687. On average, associate degree students take out $18,870 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. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,397 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rhodes State College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,721. On average, associate degree students take out $16,411 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rhodes State College. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,860 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Wisconsin. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $27,566 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Madison Area 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 #14 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,769. Associate Degree recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $21,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Madison 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Oakton Community 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.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Oakton Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,398 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Oakton Community College. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,568 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,683. On average, associate degree students take out $20,208 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at CVTC, 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, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
National Louis University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
If you want to attend NLU, expect to pay an average of $14,169 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from NLU accumulate an average of $17,353 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
NLU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at IUPUI is $10,044. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,101. Associate Degree recipients from IUPUI accumulate an average of $21,898 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at IUPUI. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Northwestern Ohio landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $11,619 to cover tuition and fees at University of Northwestern Ohio. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $19,111 in loans while pursuing their degree.
University of Northwestern Ohio 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 27% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,723 in tuition and fees if they attend North Central Technical College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,415. Associate Degree recipients from North Central Technical College accumulate an average of $14,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Central Technical College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
William Rainey Harper 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 #21 on the list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harper College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. On average, associate degree students take out $15,799 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Harper College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WCTC is $4,488. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,603. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,402 in student loans.
Online courses are available at WCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 17% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Rock Valley College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,924 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rock Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,564. Associate Degree recipients from Rock Valley College accumulate an average of $11,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rock 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 fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #24, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FVTC is $4,746. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,861. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,318 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FVTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #25, Purdue University Global did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue University Global full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,436. Associate Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $27,073 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Purdue University Global is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
View Best Associate Degree Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best trade schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI |
| 27 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH |
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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