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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.
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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. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 758 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Ferris accumulate an average of $19,257 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ferris does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 29 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Alpena Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Alpena, Michigan, and it awarded 197 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Alpena Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,995. This amount may 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Oakland Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Oakland Community College is a public institution located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,666 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Oakland Community College is $5,400. 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 $13,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Oakland Community College. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 29 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Delta College landed the # 4 spot on the list. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 901 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Delta College full time pay an average of $6,980 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,250. On average, associate degree students take out $12,609 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Delta College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Jackson College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Jackson, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 676 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,760 in student loans.
Jackson College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Schoolcraft College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Schoolcraft College is a public institution located in Livonia, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,043 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Schoolcraft College is $5,650. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,652. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,741 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity 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 ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,204 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,929 in tuition and fees if they attend Grand Rapids Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
One thing to take note of is that Grand Rapids Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $7,340. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,760. Associate Degree recipients from LCC accumulate an average of $14,495 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LCC 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 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kirtland Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in Grayling, Michigan, the small public school awarded 172 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Kirtland Community College full time pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,910. Associate Degree recipients from Kirtland Community College accumulate an average of $15,267 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Kirtland 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. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Muskegon Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. Muskegon Community College is a public institution located in Muskegon, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 505 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,090 in tuition and fees if they attend Muskegon Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,810. Associate Degree recipients from Muskegon Community College accumulate an average of $11,252 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Muskegon Community College. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Kellogg Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. This small public school is located in Battle Creek, Michigan, and it awarded 573 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Kellogg Community College full time pay an average of $7,013 in tuition and fees. 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.
One thing to take note of is that Kellogg Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Baker College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Owosso, Michigan that handed out 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 offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Siena Heights University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Adrian, Michigan, and it awarded 8 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,044 to cover tuition and fees at Siena Heights University. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Siena Heights University 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 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Macomb Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Warren, Michigan. It awarded 2,252 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Macomb Community College is $6,210. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,830. On average, associate degree students take out $7,489 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Macomb Community College. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
St Clair County 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. St Clair County Community College is a small public school located in Port Huron, Michigan that handed out 798 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from SC4 accumulate an average of $13,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SC4. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NMC is $9,532. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,048. On average, associate degree students take out $15,316 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NMC. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Marquette, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 256 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Michigan who attend Northern Michigan University full time pay an average of $12,948 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,570. On average, associate degree students take out $15,507 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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 landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,337 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,308 in tuition and fees if they attend Henry Ford College full time. Out-of-state students 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Henry Ford College. In 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 875 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,526 in tuition and fees if they attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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 fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Davenport University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 152 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Davenport University, expect to pay an average of $22,242 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Davenport University accumulate an average of $25,547 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Davenport University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Michigan 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. Located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the small public school awarded 365 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $14,600 in loans while pursuing their degree.
LMC is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class 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 awarded 146 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,728 to cover tuition and fees at Lake Superior State University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Lake Superior State University accumulate an average of $19,074 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Lake Superior State University, 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, 39% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mott Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Located in Flint, Michigan, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,009 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,201 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,091. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,202 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MCC. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mid Michigan College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list. Harrison, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 351 students in 2021-2022.
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.
Mid Michigan College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. WCCCD is a fairly large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,998. On average, associate degree students take out $14,009 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WCCCD. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.
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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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