2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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.
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 Ohio ranking. This report analyzed 38 schools in Ohio 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 Ohio
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 Ohio. Located in Hamilton, Ohio, the small public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend Miami University - Hamilton full time pay an average of $6,704 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
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 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 Ohio. 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.
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 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Miami University - Middletown is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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.
In-state students pay an average of $6,670 in tuition and fees if they attend Miami University - Middletown full time. Out-of-state students 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Cincinnati State is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,009 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Ohio who attend Cincinnati State full time pay an average of $5,274 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,558. On average, associate degree students take out $14,555 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Cincinnati State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend James A Rhodes State College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Rhodes State College is a small public school situated in Lima, Ohio. It awarded 301 associate degrees 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rhodes State College. In 2020-2021 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #6, 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 awarded 996 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $11,867 to cover tuition and fees at University of Northwestern Ohio. The school does not offer an in-state discount. 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.
Youngstown State University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $9,585 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Youngstown State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,945. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,730 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Youngstown State 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 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Cincinnati - Clermont College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. UC Clermont College is a public institution located in Batavia, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 634 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,364 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UC Clermont College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,596. On average, associate degree students take out $17,313 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UC Clermont College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Clermont College
With a ranking of #9, University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. UC Blue Ash College is a medium-sized public school situated in Blue Ash, Ohio. It awarded 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,790 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UC Blue Ash College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,588. Associate Degree recipients from UC Blue Ash College accumulate an average of $17,164 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UC Blue Ash College. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College
Bowling Green State University - Firelands landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Huron, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 325 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend BGSU-Firelands full time pay an average of $6,036 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,025. On average, associate degree students take out $19,772 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BGSU-Firelands does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
Remington College - Cleveland Campus 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. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 32 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,173 in student loans.
Since Remington College - Cleveland Campus is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #12, Kent State University at Ashtabula did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Ashtabula, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 192 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kent State University at Ashtabula. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,910. Associate Degree recipients from Kent State University at Ashtabula accumulate an average of $21,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Kent State University at Ashtabula does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Owens Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Located in Perrysburg, Ohio, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,046 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,630 in tuition and fees if they attend Owens State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,022. Associate Degree recipients from Owens State Community College accumulate an average of $18,299 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Owens State 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus 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. Located in Akron, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 393 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $12,427 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend University of Akron Main Campus. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,500. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,870 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since University of Akron Main Campus does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, Lakeland Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Kirtland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 814 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend Lakeland full time pay an average of $4,477 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,105. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,198 in student loans.
Lakeland does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Zane State College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Zane State College is located in Zanesville, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 285 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Ohio who attend Zane State College full time pay an average of $5,706 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,166. On average, associate degree students take out $8,865 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Zane State College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
North Central State College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Mansfield, Ohio, and it awarded 354 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend North Central State College full time pay an average of $5,786 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,384. On average, associate degree students take out $9,480 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Central State College 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.
Kent State University at Salem ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Kent State University at Salem is a small public school located in Salem, Ohio that handed out 124 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend Kent State University at Salem full time pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,910. Associate Degree recipients from Kent State University at Salem accumulate an average of $21,120 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Kent State University at Salem does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Newark, Ohio, and it awarded 344 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $14,718 in loans while pursuing their degree.
COTC 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 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sinclair Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,094 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sinclair Community College is $4,569. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,316. On average, associate degree students take out $13,597 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sinclair Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #21, Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 2,352 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,641 in student loans.
Cuyahoga Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Stautzenberger College - Maumee came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Maumee, Ohio is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 115 students in 2021-2022.
Stautzenberger College - Maumee does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,699. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,881 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Stautzenberger College - Maumee does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Shawnee State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio list. Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 160 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $18,137 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Shawnee State University does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Stark State College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Stark State College is a fairly large public school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 1,081 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Stark State College is $4,548. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,644. Associate Degree recipients from Stark State College accumulate an average of $16,140 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Stark State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Washington State Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school awarded 307 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from WSCC accumulate an average of $14,048 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at WSCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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