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