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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
The Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 29 schools in Michigan to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Michigan
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Ferris State University the best school in Michigan for trade school students working on their associate degree. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 758 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,257 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ferris does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% 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 Alpena Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Located in Alpena, Michigan, the small public school handed out 197 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Alpena Community College, expect to pay an average of $7,995 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at Alpena Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Oakland Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 1,666 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Oakland Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,400. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $13,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Oakland Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Delta College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Michigan. Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 901 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,980 in tuition and fees if they attend Delta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,250. Associate Degree recipients from Delta College accumulate an average of $12,609 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Delta College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 66% 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 Jackson College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Located in Jackson, Michigan, the small public school awarded 676 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Jackson College is $7,425. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,375. Associate Degree recipients from Jackson College accumulate an average of $15,760 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Jackson College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Schoolcraft College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Schoolcraft College is a medium-sized public school located in Livonia, Michigan that handed out 1,043 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,650 in tuition and fees if they attend Schoolcraft College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,652. Associate Degree recipients from Schoolcraft College accumulate an average of $13,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Schoolcraft College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 1,204 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $7,929 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Grand Rapids Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,679. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,167 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Grand Rapids Community College. 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.
Lansing Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. LCC is a public institution located in Lansing, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $7,340 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,760. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,495 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Kirtland Community 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 Grayling, Michigan, and it awarded 172 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees if they attend Kirtland Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,910. On average, associate degree students take out $15,267 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Kirtland Community 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.
Muskegon Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Muskegon Community College is a small public school situated in Muskegon, Michigan. It awarded 505 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $11,090 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Muskegon Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,810. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,252 in student loans.
Muskegon Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kellogg Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. Kellogg Community College is a small public school located in Battle Creek, Michigan that handed out 573 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kellogg Community College is $7,013. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,038. On average, associate degree students take out $20,756 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kellogg Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Baker College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Owosso, Michigan. It awarded 379 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Baker College, expect to pay an average of $12,710 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 $20,261 in student loans.
Baker 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 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Siena Heights University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Located in Adrian, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Siena Heights University is $29,044. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Siena Heights University. 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.
Macomb Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Macomb Community College is located in Warren, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,252 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Macomb Community College is $6,210. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,830. Associate Degree recipients from Macomb Community College accumulate an average of $7,489 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Macomb Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #15, St Clair County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. SC4 is located in Port Huron, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 798 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,654 in loans while pursuing their degree.
SC4 does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. NMC is located in Traverse City, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 526 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Michigan who attend NMC full time pay an average of $9,532 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,048. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,316 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NMC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northern Michigan University 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 #17 on the list. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $12,948 in tuition and fees if they attend Northern Michigan University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,570. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,507 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Northern Michigan University, 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 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Henry Ford College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Henry Ford College is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,337 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,308 in tuition and fees if they attend Henry Ford College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,348. Associate Degree recipients from Henry Ford College accumulate an average of $19,013 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Henry Ford College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
Kalamazoo Valley 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 #19 on the list. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 875 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College full time pay an average of $6,526 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,596. On average, associate degree students take out $11,956 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #20, Davenport University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 152 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $22,242 to cover tuition and fees at Davenport University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $25,547 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Davenport University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Michigan College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. LMC is a public institution located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 365 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from LMC accumulate an average of $14,600 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, LMC is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Lake Superior State University 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. Located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, the small public school handed out 146 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Lake Superior State University is $13,728. 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 $19,074 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Lake Superior State University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mott Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Flint, Michigan. It awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $5,201. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,091. On average, associate degree students take out $18,202 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Mid Michigan College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Mid Michigan College is located in Harrison, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 351 associate degrees to qualified students.
Mid Michigan College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $8,908. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Mid Michigan College accumulate an average of $16,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mid Michigan College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Wayne County Community College District 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 #25 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $3,263 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCCCD. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,998. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,009 in student loans.
Online courses are available at WCCCD, 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, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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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