Find Trade Colleges
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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Colorado
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Colorado Northwestern Community College the best school in Colorado for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Rangely, Colorado, the small public school handed out 137 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend CNCC full time pay an average of $4,236 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,740. Associate Degree recipients from CNCC accumulate an average of $12,923 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 CNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 25% of undergraduates took at least one course online 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.
Students from Colorado who attend CCA full time pay an average of $4,030 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,832. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,334 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCA. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 21 schools in Colorado that were part of this year’s ranking, Aims Community College landed the # 4 spot 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,850. On average, associate degree students take out $10,156 in loans while pursuing 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 21 schools in Colorado that were part of this year’s ranking, Red Rocks Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Red Rocks Community College is located in Lakewood, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 593 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $14,553 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Red Rocks Community 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 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in Littleton, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 754 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Arapahoe Community College is $4,080. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,502. On average, associate degree students take out $15,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Arapahoe Community College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Morgan Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and it awarded 134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Morgan Community College full time pay an average of $3,930 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,579. Associate Degree recipients from Morgan Community College accumulate an average of $9,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Morgan 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. 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 ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Community College of Denver is a medium-sized public school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 728 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,586 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCD. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,235. On average, associate degree students take out $14,939 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at CCD, 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Otero Junior College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. Otero Junior College is a very small public school located in La Junta, Colorado that handed out 187 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Otero JC full time pay an average of $4,226 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Otero JC. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Intellitec College - Colorado Springs 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. Intellitec College - Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 72 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,618 in student loans.
DeVry University - Colorado came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. DeVry University - Colorado is located in Westminster, Colorado and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at DeVry University - Colorado is $15,032. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $29,404 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out DeVry University - Colorado. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Front Range 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. 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.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,126 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FRCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,776. On average, associate degree students take out $18,200 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at FRCC, 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 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
IBMC 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. IBMC College is a very small private for-profit school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 7 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend IBMC, expect to pay an average of $14,960 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could 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 landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 220 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Colorado Mesa is $9,297. Out-of-state students 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.
Online courses are available at Colorado Mesa, 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 43% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 660 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pueblo Community College is $4,626. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,275. Associate Degree recipients from Pueblo Community College accumulate an average of $14,253 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Pueblo 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, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,065 in tuition and fees if they attend PPCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,714. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,660 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PPCC. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Colorado Christian 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 #17 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
CCU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $26,846. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from CCU accumulate an average of $29,911 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CCU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mountain College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado list. This medium-sized public school is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 484 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees if they attend Colorado Mountain College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,820. Associate Degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College accumulate an average of $10,854 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Colorado Mountain College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Trinidad, Colorado, and it awarded 241 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Trinidad State Junior College full time pay an average of $5,240 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,360. On average, associate degree students take out $12,954 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Trinidad State Junior College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 15% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Northeastern Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. NJC is located in Sterling, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 215 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Colorado who attend NJC full time pay an average of $5,345 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 30% took at least some of their classes online.
Intellitec College - Grand Junction came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Colorado ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 77 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $18,919 in loans while pursuing their degree.
View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.