2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region
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.
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 in the New England Region ranking. This report analyzed 44 schools in the New England Region 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 the New England Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bay State College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the New England Region . Bay State College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 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. On average, associate degree students take out $21,802 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Bay State College, 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 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 44 schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Tunxis Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Farmington, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 385 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tunxis Community College is $4,820. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,220. On average, associate degree students take out $9,258 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tunxis Community College. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gateway Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 604 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Connecticut who attend Gateway Community College full time pay an average of $4,740 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,140. Associate Degree recipients from Gateway Community College accumulate an average of $6,908 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gateway Community College. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Mount Wachusett Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. MWCC is located in Gardner, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 540 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,760 in tuition and fees if they attend MWCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,680. On average, associate degree students take out $10,600 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MWCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Fisher College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the New England Region . This small private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 41 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Fisher College, expect to pay an average of $34,150 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Fisher College accumulate an average of $16,058 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Fisher 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 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. STCC is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 719 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,520 in tuition and fees if they attend STCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,676 in student loans.
STCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Shore 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 #7 on the list. Danvers, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 734 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Shore Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,920. Associate Degree recipients from North Shore Community College accumulate an average of $12,225 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at North Shore 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, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. BHCC is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,125 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees if they attend BHCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,224. On average, associate degree students take out $11,644 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BHCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, River Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small public school is located in Claremont, New Hampshire, and it awarded 121 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Hampshire pay an average of $6,940 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NH Community Technical College - Claremont. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,190. Associate Degree recipients from NH Community Technical College - Claremont accumulate an average of $19,539 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
NH Community Technical College - Claremont does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #10, Roxbury Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 133 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Roxbury Community College is $6,096. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,088.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Roxbury Community College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
NHTI-Concord’s 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 #11 on the list. Located in Concord, New Hampshire, the small public school handed out 519 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Hampshire pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NHTI. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,450. On average, associate degree students take out $16,658 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NHTI does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cape Cod 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 #12 on the list. Cape Cod Community College is a small public school situated in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. It awarded 348 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend Cape Cod Community College full time pay an average of $5,592 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,536. On average, associate degree students take out $13,292 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cape Cod Community College. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 395 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend MassBay Community College full time pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,320. On average, associate degree students take out $8,333 in loans while pursuing their degree.
MassBay 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 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Massachusetts - Lowell 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 Lowell, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend UMass Lowell full time pay an average of $16,182 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $34,550. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,551 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UMass Lowell. In 2020-2021 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Middlesex Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region ranking. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bedford, Massachusetts that handed out 727 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Middlesex Community College is $6,098. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,170. Associate Degree recipients from Middlesex Community College accumulate an average of $9,676 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Middlesex Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Maine at Presque Isle came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region ranking. Located in Presque Isle, Maine, the small public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,750 in tuition and fees if they attend UMPI full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,520.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UMPI does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
New England Institute of Technology ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. New England Tech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. It awarded 537 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,900 to cover tuition and fees at New England Tech. 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 $17,029 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at New England Tech. In 2020-2021 about 38% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Community College of Rhode Island ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, the fairly large public school awarded 1,926 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Rhode Island who attend CCRI full time pay an average of $5,090 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,552. Associate Degree recipients from CCRI accumulate an average of $13,250 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CCRI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Manchester Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. MCC is a public institution located in Manchester, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 622 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,700 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,100. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,580 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that MCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Massasoit Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Massasoit Community College is a small public school situated in Brockton, Massachusetts. It awarded 739 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees if they attend Massasoit Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,174 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Massasoit Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
Johnson & Wales University - Providence ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. JWU Providence is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a small population, and it awarded 377 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at JWU Providence is $38,096. 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 $16,236 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since JWU Providence does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bristol 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 #22 on the list. Bristol is a public institution located in Fall River, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 904 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend Bristol full time pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,224. Associate Degree recipients from Bristol accumulate an average of $9,022 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bristol. In 2020-2021 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Northern Essex Community College is a small public school located in Haverhill, Massachusetts that handed out 470 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,688 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NECC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,472. On average, associate degree students take out $12,741 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NECC. In 2020-2021 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Berkshire Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. BCC is a public institution located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BCC is $5,492. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,108. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,282 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BCC 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.
Beal College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region ranking. Beal College is a very small private for-profit school located in Bangor, Maine that handed out 120 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $15,195 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Beal College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 95% 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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