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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts

2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts

18 Schools Ranked
$9,194 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$11,983 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
76 Total Awards
$29,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,802 Avg Student Debt

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 awarded 76 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Bay State College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $29,500. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Bay State College accumulate an average of $21,802 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Bay State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Bay State College

#2

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts
540 Total Awards
$5,760 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,600 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 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 a small public school situated in Gardner, Massachusetts. It awarded 540 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Massachusetts who attend MWCC full time pay an average of $5,760 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,680. Associate Degree recipients from MWCC accumulate an average of $10,600 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that MWCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#3

Fisher College

Boston, Massachusetts
41 Total Awards
$34,150 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,058 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fisher College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 41 associate degrees 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. Associate Degree recipients from Fisher College accumulate an average of $16,058 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Fisher College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Fisher College Report

#4

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts
719 Total Awards
$5,520 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,676 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Springfield Technical Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 719 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,520 in tuition and fees if they attend STCC full time. 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.

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.

Read full report on Springfield Technical Community College

#5

North Shore Community College

Danvers, Massachusetts
734 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,225 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Shore Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. North Shore Community College is a small public school situated in Danvers, Massachusetts. It awarded 734 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they attend North Shore Community College full time. Out-of-state students 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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at North Shore Community College. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full North Shore Community College Report

#6

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts
1,125 Total Awards
$5,280 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,644 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Bunker Hill Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Bunker Hill Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 1,125 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BHCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,224. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,644 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at BHCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#7

Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts
133 Total Awards
$6,096 Average Tuition & Fees

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 #7 on the list. Roxbury Community College is a small public school situated in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts. It awarded 133 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Massachusetts who attend Roxbury Community College full time pay an average of $6,096 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,088.

Roxbury Community College is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#8

Cape Cod Community College

West Barnstable, Massachusetts
348 Total Awards
$5,592 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,292 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Cape Cod Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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. 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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cape Cod Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Cape Cod Community College Report

#9

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
395 Total Awards
$5,376 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,333 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. MassBay Community College is a public institution located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 395 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MassBay Community College. 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 $8,333 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 2020-2021 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts
32 Total Awards
$16,182 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,551 Avg Student Debt

University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school handed out 32 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMass Lowell is $16,182. Out-of-state students 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 fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#11

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
727 Total Awards
$6,098 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,676 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Middlesex Community College is a public institution located in Bedford, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, 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. Out-of-state students 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.

Read More…

#12

Massasoit Community College

Brockton, Massachusetts
739 Total Awards
$5,376 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,174 Avg Student Debt

Massasoit 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. Brockton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 739 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Massasoit 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 $10,174 in student loans.

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 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Massasoit Community College

#13

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts
904 Total Awards
$5,280 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,022 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. 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. On average, associate degree students take out $9,022 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Bristol does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Bristol Community College

#14

Northern Essex Community College

Haverhill, Massachusetts
470 Total Awards
$5,688 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,741 Avg Student Debt

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. Haverhill, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 470 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NECC is $5,688. Out-of-state students 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.

NECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#15

Berkshire Community College

Pittsfield, Massachusetts
188 Total Awards
$5,492 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,282 Avg Student Debt

Berkshire Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,492 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,108. Associate Degree recipients from BCC accumulate an average of $15,282 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at BCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#16

Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, Massachusetts
898 Total Awards
$5,830 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,562 Avg Student Debt

Quinsigamond Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 898 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,830 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Quinsigamond Community College. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Quinsigamond Community College. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#17

Quincy College

Quincy, Massachusetts
301 Total Awards
$7,344 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,248 Avg Student Debt

Quincy College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it awarded 301 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Quincy College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,344. This amount may 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.

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 fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#18

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts
555 Total Awards
$5,570 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,235 Avg Student Debt

Holyoke Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 555 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Massachusetts who attend Holyoke Community College full time pay an average of $5,570 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,514. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,235 in student loans.

Holyoke Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

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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