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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools
There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 895 schools in the United States 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 United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best school in the United States for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and it awarded 1,276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Columbia Southern University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,015. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,106 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Columbia Southern University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Waldorf University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. This small private for-profit school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 116 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $24,526 to cover tuition and fees at Waldorf. 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 $15,988 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Waldorf. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. BSC is a public institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BSC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,227. On average, associate degree students take out $12,985 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that BSC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Excelsior University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in Albany, New York, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,240 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 $12,110 in student loans.
Since Excelsior University 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.
West Hills College-Lemoore 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. Located in Lemoore, California, the small public school awarded 767 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 $12,678 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at West Hills College-Lemoore. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Ranken Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Ranken Technical College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 403 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,960 to cover tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College. 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 $12,617 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Miami University - Hamilton 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. Miami University - Hamilton is located in Hamilton, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 111 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Ohio who attend Miami University - Hamilton full time pay an average of $6,704 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Miami University - Hamilton. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #10, Merced College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,615 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,890.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Herzing University - Akron 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 Akron, Ohio, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 109 associate degree awards 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,352 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Herzing Akron does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, Miami University - Middletown did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Middletown, Ohio, the small public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,670 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Miami University - Middletown. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,390. On average, associate degree students take out $21,499 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Canada 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 #13 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Redwood City, California, and it awarded 462 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Canada College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,006. Associate Degree recipients from Canada College accumulate an average of $16,256 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Canada College. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Herzing University - Atlanta 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. Herzing University - Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Herzing University - Atlanta, expect to pay an average of $12,750 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 $26,172 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Atlanta. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rockhurst University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $41,701 to cover tuition and fees at Rockhurst. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $9,940 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 Rockhurst does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Southwest Tech is located in Fennimore, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 220 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwest Tech is $4,571. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,731. Associate Degree recipients from Southwest Tech accumulate an average of $10,841 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. In 2020-2021 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,590 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SBCC is $1,234. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from SBCC accumulate an average of $17,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SBCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Herzing University - Birmingham did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 90 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,750 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing University - Birmingham. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $23,896 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Herzing University - Birmingham, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cuesta College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 2,629 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,340. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,348. On average, associate degree students take out $17,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Foothill College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Foothill College is located in Los Altos Hills, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 998 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees if they attend Foothill College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,510. Associate Degree recipients from Foothill College accumulate an average of $12,968 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 Foothill College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Molloy 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. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Rockville Centre, New York, and it awarded 22 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Molloy does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $36,030. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Molloy does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Bay State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Bay State College is a very small private for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 76 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Bay State College is $29,500. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,802 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bay State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Florida came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Ocala, Florida. It awarded 2,014 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Florida, expect to pay an average of $13,842 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of $21,089 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 Rasmussen University - Florida does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 950 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,294. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bellevue College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. BC is a public institution located in Bellevue, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,783 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend BC full time pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,838. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BC 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 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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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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