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