2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
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 the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 259 schools in the Southeast 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 Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southeast Region . Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 1,276 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Columbia Southern University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,015. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of $16,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Out of the 259 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Atlanta landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 117 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Herzing University - Atlanta does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,750. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $26,172 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Atlanta. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 259 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Birmingham landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Herzing University - Birmingham is $12,750. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $23,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Herzing University - Birmingham does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized private for-profit school is located in Ocala, Florida, and it awarded 2,014 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida is $13,842. 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 $21,089 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Florida. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 259 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 914 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is $4,560. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480. Associate Degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,555 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Herzing University - Kenner landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Herzing University - Kenner is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Metairie, Louisiana. It awarded 78 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Herzing University - Kenner, expect to pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,465 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Kenner. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Danville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Danville Community College full time pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. On average, associate degree students take out $11,262 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Danville Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,618 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,640 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,560. On average, associate degree students take out $16,199 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Bluegrass Community and Technical 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 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Eastern Kentucky University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Eastern is a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,844 in tuition and fees if they attend Eastern full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,222. On average, associate degree students take out $22,568 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastern. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #10, South University, Montgomery did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Montgomery, Alabama is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 44 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,560 to cover tuition and fees at South University, Montgomery. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from South University, Montgomery accumulate an average of $24,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Montgomery. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Trident Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 1,438 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from South Carolina who attend Trident Technical College full time pay an average of $5,059 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,606. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,444 in student loans.
Trident Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South University, Columbia 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. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 29 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South University, Columbia is $16,560. 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 $24,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
South University, Columbia 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 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #13, Hodges University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 44 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,500 to cover tuition and fees at International College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $16,548 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at International College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Jonesboro, Arkansas that handed out 699 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,456 in tuition and fees if they attend A-State full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,312. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,556 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at A-State. 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.
Albany State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Albany State is located in Albany, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 698 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Albany State is $5,484. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,206. On average, associate degree students take out $18,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Albany State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 617 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Spartanburg Community College is $6,030. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,822. Associate Degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College accumulate an average of $9,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Spartanburg 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 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Middle Georgia State University is located in Macon, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 265 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $3,976 in tuition and fees if they attend Middle Georgia State University full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,448. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,774 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Middle Georgia State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school handed out 5,692 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northern Virginia Community College is $5,565. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. Associate Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $15,263 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Jackson State Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. JSCC is located in Jackson, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 532 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Tennessee who attend JSCC full time pay an average of $4,396 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at JSCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Hillsborough Community College is a fairly large public school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 3,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees if they attend HCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,111. On average, associate degree students take out $16,096 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at HCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Nicholls State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Nicholls State University is a medium-sized public school located in Thibodaux, Louisiana that handed out 136 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Louisiana pay an average of $8,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Nicholls State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,249. On average, associate degree students take out $16,531 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Nicholls State University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Georgia Technical 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. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,042 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend CGTC full time pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,482. Associate Degree recipients from CGTC accumulate an average of $12,341 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CGTC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Georgia Northwestern Technical 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 #23 on the list. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is located in Rome, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 523 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Georgia who attend Georgia Northwestern Technical College full time pay an average of $3,112 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,512. On average, associate degree students take out $9,577 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Radford University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Radford is a public institution located in Radford, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 68 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Radford full time pay an average of $11,916 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $24,453. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,557 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Radford. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South University, Virginia Beach came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. South University, Virginia Beach is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 23 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
South University, Virginia Beach does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,560. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at South University, Virginia Beach, 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, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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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