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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
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 Colorado ranking. This report analyzed 21 schools in Colorado 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 Colorado
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Colorado Northwestern Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Colorado. CNCC is a public institution located in Rangely, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 137 associate degrees 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 25% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Community College of Aurora is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Aurora, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 620 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,030 in tuition and fees if they attend CCA full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CCA. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Aims Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 686 associate degree awards 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. On average, associate degree students take out $10,156 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Aims Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Red Rocks Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Red Rocks Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lakewood, Colorado. It awarded 593 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,471 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Red Rocks Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
One thing to take note of is that Red Rocks Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Arapahoe 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. This fairly large public school is located in Littleton, Colorado, and it awarded 754 associate degrees 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,502. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,611 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Arapahoe Community College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Morgan Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Morgan Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Morgan, Colorado. It awarded 134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Morgan Community College is $3,930. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,579. On average, associate degree students take out $9,552 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Morgan Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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.
Community College of Denver landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 728 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CCD is $4,586. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,235. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,939 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CCD. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Otero Junior College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in La Junta, Colorado, the very small public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,226 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Otero JC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,730. Associate Degree recipients from Otero JC accumulate an average of $17,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Otero JC 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 32% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Intellitec College - Colorado Springs came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Intellitec College - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 72 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Intellitec College - Colorado Springs accumulate an average of $16,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
DeVry University - Colorado ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Located in Westminster, Colorado, the very small private for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Colorado. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Colorado accumulate an average of $29,404 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
DeVry University - Colorado is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Front Range Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. FRCC is located in Westminster, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,906 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Colorado who attend FRCC full time pay an average of $4,126 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,776. Associate Degree recipients from FRCC accumulate an average of $18,200 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that FRCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, IBMC College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. IBMC is a private for-profit institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 7 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
IBMC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,960. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $23,848 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Colorado Mesa 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. Colorado Mesa is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Junction, Colorado. It awarded 220 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $9,297 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Colorado Mesa. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $23,019. Associate Degree recipients from Colorado Mesa accumulate an average of $21,002 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Colorado Mesa. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Pueblo 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 #15 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Pueblo, Colorado, and it awarded 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pueblo Community College is $4,626. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,275. On average, associate degree students take out $14,253 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Pueblo Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. PPCC is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,611 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,065 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PPCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,714. On average, associate degree students take out $12,660 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that PPCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Colorado Christian University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 210 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at CCU is $26,846. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,911 in student loans.
CCU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 484 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees if they attend Colorado Mountain College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,820. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,854 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Colorado Mountain College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 27% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Trinidad State Junior College is located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 241 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Trinidad State Junior College is $5,240. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,360. Associate Degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College accumulate an average of $12,954 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Trinidad State Junior College, 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 15% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northeastern Junior College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Sterling, Colorado, the small public school handed out 215 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend NJC full time pay an average of $5,345 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,691. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,090 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NJC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 30% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #21, Intellitec College - Grand Junction did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, the small private for-profit school awarded 77 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Intellitec College - Grand Junction accumulate an average of $18,919 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 21 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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