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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.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,500 to cover tuition and fees at Bay State College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Bay State College accumulate an average of $21,802 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Bay State College 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.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Tunxis Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Farmington, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 385 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Connecticut who attend Tunxis Community College full time pay an average of $4,820 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,220. Associate Degree recipients from Tunxis Community College accumulate an average of $9,258 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tunxis Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Gateway Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and it awarded 604 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Connecticut pay an average of $4,740 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gateway Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,140. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,908 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Gateway Community 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 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Mount Wachusett Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the New England Region . MWCC is a small public school situated in Gardner, Massachusetts. It awarded 540 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MWCC is $5,760. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,680. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,600 in student loans.
MWCC 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.
Out of the 44 schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Fisher College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Fisher College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $34,150. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,058 in loans while pursuing 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, Springfield Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. STCC is a small public school situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 719 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend STCC full time pay an average of $5,520 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728. Associate Degree recipients from STCC accumulate an average of $7,676 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at STCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 734 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend North Shore Community College full time pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,920. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,225 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Shore Community College. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bunker Hill Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. BHCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,125 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BHCC is $5,280. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,224. On average, associate degree students take out $11,644 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BHCC. In 2020-2021 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
River Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region ranking. NH Community Technical College - Claremont is located in Claremont, New Hampshire and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 121 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from New Hampshire who attend NH Community Technical College - Claremont full time pay an average of $6,940 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Roxbury 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 #10 on the list. Roxbury Community College is a public institution located in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 133 associate degrees 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 ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. This small public school is located in Concord, New Hampshire, and it awarded 519 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from New Hampshire who attend NHTI full time pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,450. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,658 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NHTI does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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 public institution located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 348 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,592 in tuition and fees if they attend Cape Cod Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,536. On average, associate degree students take out $13,292 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Cape Cod 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 2020-2021 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, and it awarded 395 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees if they attend MassBay Community College full time. Out-of-state students 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. UMass Lowell is a fairly large public school situated in Lowell, Massachusetts. It awarded 32 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMass Lowell is $16,182. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $34,550. On average, associate degree students take out $21,551 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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 landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bedford, Massachusetts. It awarded 727 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,098 in tuition and fees if they attend Middlesex Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Middlesex Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, University of Maine at Presque Isle did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Presque Isle, Maine, and it awarded 28 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMPI is $8,750. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,520.
UMPI 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 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 537 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $17,029 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at New England Tech, 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 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Community College of Rhode Island 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 Warwick, Rhode Island, and it awarded 1,926 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Rhode Island pay an average of $5,090 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCRI. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Online courses are available at CCRI, 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 63% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #19, Manchester Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Manchester, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 622 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Connecticut pay an average of $4,700 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,100. Associate Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $6,580 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCC. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Brockton, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 739 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Massasoit Community College is $5,376. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,320. Associate Degree recipients from Massasoit Community College accumulate an average of $10,174 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Massasoit 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 2020-2021 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Johnson & Wales University - Providence landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. JWU Providence is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 377 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend JWU Providence, expect to pay an average of $38,096 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,236 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at JWU Providence. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Bristol Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fall River, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 904 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bristol. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bristol. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Northern Essex Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. This small public school is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 470 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,688 in tuition and fees if they attend NECC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,472. On average, associate degree students take out $12,741 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at NECC, 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 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Berkshire Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the New England Region list. Berkshire Community College is a small public school located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts that handed out 188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,492 in tuition and fees if they attend BCC full time. 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Beal 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 #25 on the list. Bangor, Maine is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 120 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Beal College accumulate an average of $15,195 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Beal College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% 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.