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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts

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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts

18 Schools Ranked
$9,048 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,506 Avg Student Debt

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.

Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Bay State College

Boston, Massachusetts
$29,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$36,855 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Bay State College the best school in Massachusetts for trade school students working on their associate degree.

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. On average, associate degree students take out $36,855 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Bay State College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bay State College

#2

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts
$5,668 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,274 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Mount Wachusett Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list.

Students from Massachusetts who attend MWCC full time pay an average of $5,668 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,588. Associate Degree recipients from MWCC accumulate an average of $12,274 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

MWCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Mount Wachusett Community College

#3

Fisher College

Boston, Massachusetts
$33,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,751 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 18 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Fisher College landed the # 3 spot on the list.

If you want to attend Fisher College, expect to pay an average of $33,500 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $18,751 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#4

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts
$5,520 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,475 Avg Student Debt

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.

Students from Massachusetts who attend STCC full time pay an average of $5,520 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. Associate Degree recipients from STCC accumulate an average of $11,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

STCC 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 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#5

North Shore Community College

Danvers, Massachusetts
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,244 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at North Shore Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Massachusetts.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Shore Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,920. On average, associate degree students take out $15,244 in loans while pursuing 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. In 2019-2020 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on North Shore Community College

#6

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts
$5,280 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,991 Avg Student Debt

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.

Students from Massachusetts who attend BHCC full time pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,224. Associate Degree recipients from BHCC accumulate an average of $11,991 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out BHCC. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#7

Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts
$5,784 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,778 Avg Student Debt

Roxbury Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.

In-state students pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees if they attend Roxbury Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,088. Associate Degree recipients from Roxbury Community College accumulate an average of $11,778 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 Roxbury Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#8

Cape Cod Community College

West Barnstable, Massachusetts
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,980 Avg Student Debt

Cape Cod Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cape Cod Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,296. Associate Degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College accumulate an average of $12,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cape Cod Community College. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#9

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
$5,376 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,712 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Massachusetts Bay Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MassBay Community College is $5,376. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,320. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,712 in student loans.

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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Massachusetts Bay Community College Report

#10

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts
$15,698 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,170 Avg Student Debt

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 #10 on the list.

In-state students pay an average of $15,698 in tuition and fees if they attend UMass Lowell full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $33,624. On average, associate degree students take out $28,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.

UMass Lowell 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 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
$6,048 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,346 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex 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.

Students from Massachusetts who attend Middlesex Community College full time pay an average of $6,048 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,120. On average, associate degree students take out $13,346 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Middlesex Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Middlesex Community College

#12

Massasoit Community College

Brockton, Massachusetts
$5,160 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,132 Avg Student Debt

Massasoit Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,160 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Massasoit Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,104. On average, associate degree students take out $12,132 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Massasoit Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Massasoit Community College Report

#13

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts
$5,208 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,401 Avg Student Debt

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.

Students from Massachusetts who attend Bristol full time pay an average of $5,208 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,152. Associate Degree recipients from Bristol accumulate an average of $11,401 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Bristol 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 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Northern Essex Community College

Haverhill, Massachusetts
$5,544 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,610 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Northern Essex Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,544 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NECC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,328. Associate Degree recipients from NECC accumulate an average of $15,610 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

NECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Northern Essex Community College Report

#15

Berkshire Community College

Pittsfield, Massachusetts
$5,492 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,839 Avg Student Debt

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.

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 $16,839 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 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Berkshire Community College Report

#16

Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, Massachusetts
$5,830 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,343 Avg Student Debt

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.

Students from Massachusetts who attend Quinsigamond Community College full time pay an average of $5,830 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,774. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,343 in student loans.

Quinsigamond Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Quinsigamond Community College

#17

Quincy College

Quincy, Massachusetts
$7,176 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,537 Avg Student Debt

Quincy College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs.

If you want to attend Quincy College, expect to pay an average of $7,176 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 $18,537 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Quincy College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts
$5,378 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,288 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Holyoke Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree.

In-state students pay an average of $5,378 in tuition and fees if they attend Holyoke Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,322. On average, associate degree students take out $12,288 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Holyoke Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region

View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

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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