2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
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 Massachusetts ranking. This report analyzed 18 schools in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bay State College the best school in Massachusetts for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the very small private for-profit school handed out 76 associate degree awards 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,802 in student loans.
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. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Mount Wachusett Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Massachusetts. Located in Gardner, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 540 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,760 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MWCC. 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.
MWCC 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 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fisher College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,150 to cover tuition and fees at Fisher College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $16,058 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Fisher College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Springfield Technical Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Massachusetts. Springfield Technical Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 719 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at STCC is $5,520. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since STCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend North Shore Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 734 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Shore Community College is $5,352. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,920. On average, associate degree students take out $12,225 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Shore Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bunker Hill 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 #6 on the list. 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.
One thing to take note of is that BHCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Roxbury Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 133 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $6,096 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Roxbury Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,088.
Roxbury Community College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Cape Cod Community College is located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 348 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,292 in student loans.
Cape Cod Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This small public school is located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, and it awarded 395 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend MassBay Community College full time pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,320. Associate Degree recipients from MassBay Community College accumulate an average of $8,333 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MassBay Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. UMass Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMass Lowell is $16,182. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $34,550. Associate Degree recipients from UMass Lowell accumulate an average of $21,551 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 UMass Lowell does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Middlesex Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Bedford, Massachusetts, and 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,170. On average, associate degree students take out $9,676 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Middlesex Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Massasoit Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Massasoit Community College is a public institution located in Brockton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,174 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Massasoit Community College. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Bristol Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Bristol is located in Fall River, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 904 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bristol is $5,280. Those students who come from outside the state 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Northern Essex 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 #14 on the list. NECC is a public institution located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 470 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend NECC full time pay an average of $5,688 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,472. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,741 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NECC 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.
With a ranking of #15, Berkshire Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 188 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,492 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,108. On average, associate degree students take out $15,282 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BCC. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Quinsigamond Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school awarded 898 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend Quinsigamond Community College full time pay an average of $5,830 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,774. Associate Degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College accumulate an average of $17,562 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Quinsigamond Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.
Quincy College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Quincy, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 301 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Quincy College, expect to pay an average of $7,344 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 $15,248 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Quincy 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 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Holyoke Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This small public school is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and it awarded 555 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,570 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Holyoke Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,514. On average, associate degree students take out $10,235 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Holyoke Community College. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the New England 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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