2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 50 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University of Providence to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Rocky Mountains Region . Great Falls, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $27,606 to cover tuition and fees at University of Providence. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
University of Providence is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
The excellent associate degree programs at Highlands College of Montana Tech helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 53 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $3,667 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Highlands College of Montana Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,642. Associate Degree recipients from Highlands College of Montana Tech accumulate an average of $13,254 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Highlands College of Montana Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 29% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 50 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Logan, Utah, the large public school awarded 1,092 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,305 in tuition and fees if they attend USU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $24,223. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,964 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that USU does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Montana State University - Northern is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Havre, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 104 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,955 in tuition and fees if they attend Montana State University - Northern full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,665. Associate Degree recipients from Montana State University - Northern accumulate an average of $21,483 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Montana State University - Northern. 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.
Out of the 50 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah Valley University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Orem, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,917 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,270 in tuition and fees if they attend UVU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,830. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,562 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UVU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Rexburg, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,895 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,442 in student loans.
BYU - I does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Western Wyoming Community College is a small public school located in Rock Springs, Wyoming that handed out 262 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WWCC is $3,600. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,640. Associate Degree recipients from WWCC accumulate an average of $11,197 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 WWCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #8, Colorado Northwestern Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. CNCC is a small public school situated in Rangely, Colorado. It awarded 137 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,236 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CNCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,740. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,923 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CNCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 25% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northern Wyoming Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Sheridan, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 472 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Wyoming who attend Northern Wyoming Community College District full time pay an average of $4,830 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,130. Associate Degree recipients from Northern Wyoming Community College District accumulate an average of $11,152 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Northern Wyoming Community College District 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 37% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Laramie County Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. LCCC is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 445 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Wyoming who attend LCCC full time pay an average of $4,613 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,913. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,675 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Montana State University 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. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 115 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MSU Bozeman is $7,727. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $29,604. On average, associate degree students take out $16,147 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MSU Bozeman does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 19% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Weber State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This large public school is located in Ogden, Utah, and it awarded 3,110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Utah who attend WSU full time pay an average of $6,391 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,084. Associate Degree recipients from WSU accumulate an average of $18,082 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Salt Lake 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 #13 on the list. This large public school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 3,261 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Salt Lake Community College is $4,257. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,701. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,066 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Salt Lake Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Idaho State University 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. ISU is located in Pocatello, Idaho and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 529 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Idaho pay an average of $7,958 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ISU. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,936. Associate Degree recipients from ISU accumulate an average of $22,532 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ISU 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 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Community College of Aurora ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. CCA is located in Aurora, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 620 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,030 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCA. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,832. On average, associate degree students take out $17,334 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CCA does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 22% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Montana State University - Billings came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Montana State University - Billings is a small public school located in Billings, Montana that handed out 202 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montana State University - Billings is $6,198. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,924. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,205 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Montana State University - Billings, 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.
Aims Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Aims Community College is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 686 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Aims Community College is $2,954. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,850. Associate Degree recipients from Aims Community College accumulate an average of $10,156 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Aims 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 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Red Rocks Community College is a public institution located in Lakewood, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 593 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Red Rocks Community College is $4,471. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,135. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,553 in student loans.
Red Rocks 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 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Arapahoe Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Littleton, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 754 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Arapahoe Community College is $4,080. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,502. On average, associate degree students take out $15,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since Arapahoe Community College is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Lewis - Clark State College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Lewiston, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 204 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,177 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lewis - Clark State College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Miles 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. Miles Community College is located in Miles City, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 81 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Montana who attend Miles Community College full time pay an average of $6,240 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,110. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,203 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Miles 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 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The University of Montana landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Missoula, Montana, the medium-sized public school handed out 296 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Montana pay an average of $7,719 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UM. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,634. On average, associate degree students take out $19,416 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UM. During the 2020-2021 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Casper College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Casper College is located in Casper, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 609 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $3,528 in tuition and fees if they attend Casper College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,568. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,545 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Casper College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
North Idaho 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. NIC is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 729 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Idaho who attend NIC full time pay an average of $4,960 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,736. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,435 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NIC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% 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.
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