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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama

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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama

15 Schools Ranked
$6,349 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,305 Avg Student Debt

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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. This report analyzed 15 schools in Alabama 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 Alabama

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, Alabama
1,276 Total Awards
$6,015 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,106 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best school in Alabama for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 1,276 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Columbia Southern University is $6,015. 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 $16,106 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, Columbia Southern University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Columbia Southern University Report

#2

Herzing University - Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
90 Total Awards
$12,750 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,896 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Birmingham landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 90 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Herzing University - Birmingham 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 $23,896 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Herzing University - Birmingham. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Herzing University - Birmingham Report

#3

South University, Montgomery

Montgomery, Alabama
44 Total Awards
$16,560 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,698 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at South University, Montgomery helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Alabama. This very small private for-profit school is located in Montgomery, Alabama, and it awarded 44 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

South University, Montgomery 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, Montgomery, 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 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on South University, Montgomery

911 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,315 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Wallace State Community College, Hanceville helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Alabama. Wallace State, Hanceville is located in Hanceville, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 911 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wallace State, Hanceville is $4,920. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,670. On average, associate degree students take out $12,315 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Wallace State, Hanceville does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Wallace State Community College, Hanceville

458 Total Awards
$4,860 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wallace Community College, Dothan. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. Wallace, Dothan is located in Dothan, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 458 associate degrees to qualified students.

Students from Alabama who attend Wallace, Dothan full time pay an average of $4,860 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,610.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Wallace, Dothan. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

292 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Bishop State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the small public school awarded 292 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bishop State Community College is $4,920. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,670.

Bishop State 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 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Bishop State Community College Report

691 Total Awards
$5,312 Average Tuition & Fees

Gadsden State 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 #7 on the list. Gadsden State Community College is a small public school located in Gadsden, Alabama that handed out 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend GSCC full time pay an average of $5,312 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,312.

GSCC 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 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Gadsden State Community College

1,358 Total Awards
$5,000 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,709 Avg Student Debt

John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Calhoun Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tanner, Alabama. It awarded 1,358 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,000 in tuition and fees if they attend Calhoun Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,750. Associate Degree recipients from Calhoun Community College accumulate an average of $13,709 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Calhoun Community 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 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#9

Coastal Alabama Community College

Bay Minette, Alabama
849 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,333 Avg Student Debt

Coastal Alabama Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Bay Minette, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 849 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they attend Coastal Alabama Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,670. Associate Degree recipients from Coastal Alabama Community College accumulate an average of $11,333 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Coastal Alabama Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Coastal Alabama Community College Report

#10

Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, Alabama
1,217 Total Awards
$5,220 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,688 Avg Student Debt

Jefferson State Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 1,217 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend Jeff State full time pay an average of $5,220 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,910. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,688 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Jeff State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Jefferson State Community College

#11

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

Andalusia, Alabama
301 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees

Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a small public school located in Andalusia, Alabama that handed out 301 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is $4,920. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,670.

One thing to take note of is that Lurleen B. Wallace Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Full Lurleen B Wallace Community College Report

#12

Shelton State Community College

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
572 Total Awards
$4,980 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Shelton State 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 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and it awarded 572 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees if they attend Shelton State Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,730.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Shelton State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Shelton State Community College

604 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,262 Avg Student Debt

Southern Union State 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. Located in Wadley, Alabama, the small public school handed out 604 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they attend Southern Union State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,670. On average, associate degree students take out $11,262 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southern Union State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Southern Union State Community College

#14

Northeast Alabama Community College

Rainsville, Alabama
446 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,796 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Rainsville, Alabama, the small public school awarded 446 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend Northeast full time pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,670. On average, associate degree students take out $7,796 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Northeast does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#15

Northwest-Shoals Community College

Muscle Shoals, Alabama
397 Total Awards
$5,011 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,788 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Northwest-Shoals Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. NW-SCC is a public institution located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 397 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend NW-SCC full time pay an average of $5,011 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,761. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,788 in student loans.

Online courses are available at NW-SCC, 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.

Read More…

View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 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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