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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey
Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 18 schools in New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Union County College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in New Jersey. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,519 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Union County College accumulate an average of $11,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Union County College. 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.
Out of the 18 schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, County College of Morris landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,107 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,260 in tuition and fees if they attend County College of Morris full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,040. On average, associate degree students take out $10,222 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at County College of Morris. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Middlesex County College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list. Middlesex County College is a medium-sized public school located in Edison, New Jersey that handed out 1,616 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,876 to cover tuition and fees at Middlesex County College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $9,350 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Middlesex County 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Edison State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 430 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,208 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since TESU 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.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Raritan Valley Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Branchburg, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,068 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend RVCC, expect to pay an average of $7,296 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $11,194 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at RVCC, 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 32% took at least some of their classes online.
Bergen Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey ranking. Bergen Community College is located in Paramus, New Jersey and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,011 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $8,438 in tuition and fees if they attend Bergen Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,822. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,518 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Bergen Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Salem Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Salem County College is a small public school situated in Carneys Point, New Jersey. It awarded 212 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,695 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Salem County College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Brookdale Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Lincroft, New Jersey, and it awarded 1,611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from New Jersey who attend Brookdale Community College full time pay an average of $8,948 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,698. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,160 in student loans.
Brookdale 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 32% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, Eastwick College - Nutley did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Eastwick College - Nutley is a private for-profit institution located in Nutley, New Jersey. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 120 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Eastwick College - Nutley, expect to pay an average of $15,327 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 $16,711 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastwick College - Nutley. 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.
Berkeley College - Woodland Park ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list. Woodland Park, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 251 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $27,138 to cover tuition and fees at Berkeley College - Woodland Park. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Berkeley College - Woodland Park accumulate an average of $20,035 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Berkeley College - Woodland Park does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rowan College at Burlington County ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in New Jersey list. RCBC is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,619 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $5,268 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend RCBC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,828. Associate Degree recipients from RCBC accumulate an average of $12,402 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at RCBC. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, Essex County College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Essex is a public institution located in Newark, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Essex does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $9,141. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Essex 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 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Camden County 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. Camden County College is a public institution located in Blackwood, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,132 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $3,744 to cover tuition and fees at Camden County College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Camden County College accumulate an average of $13,672 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 Camden County College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. RCSJ is located in Sewell, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,016 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at RCSJ is $5,640. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from RCSJ accumulate an average of $13,420 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at RCSJ. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #15, Hudson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Hudson County Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Jersey City, New Jersey that handed out 1,186 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,390 in tuition and fees if they attend HCCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,798. Associate Degree recipients from HCCC accumulate an average of $10,945 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at HCCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Atlantic Cape Community College is a public institution located in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The school has a small population, and it awarded 808 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Atlantic Cape Community College is $6,840. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,340. On average, associate degree students take out $14,591 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Atlantic Cape Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Eastwick College - Hackensack 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. Eastwick College - Hackensack is located in Hackensack, New Jersey and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 216 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,424 to cover tuition and fees at Eastwick College - Hackensack. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,483 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Eastwick College - Hackensack is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Passaic 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 #18 on the list. Located in Paterson, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 554 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from New Jersey who attend PCCC full time pay an average of $7,350 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,390. Associate Degree recipients from PCCC accumulate an average of $10,578 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at PCCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 18 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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