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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama

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 analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Alabama. Orange Beach, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,276 students 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,106 in student loans.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Columbia Southern University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class 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. Herzing University - Birmingham is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 90 associate degrees to qualified students.

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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Birmingham. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#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.

If you want to attend South University, Montgomery, expect to pay an average of $16,560 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Montgomery. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on South University, Montgomery

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wallace State Community College, Hanceville. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. Hanceville, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 911 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Alabama pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wallace State, Hanceville. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,670. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,315 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Wallace State, Hanceville does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.

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 Community College, Dothan is a small public school located in Dothan, Alabama that handed out 458 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Alabama pay an average of $4,860 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wallace, Dothan. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,610.

You may have the opportunity 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 full report on Wallace Community College, Dothan

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. Bishop State Community College is a public institution located in Mobile, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 292 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bishop State 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 Bishop State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

691 Total Awards
$5,312 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Gadsden State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. GSCC is a public institution located in Gadsden, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend GSCC full time pay an average of $5,312 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,312.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at GSCC. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Gadsden State Community College Report

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

With a ranking of #8, John C Calhoun State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Calhoun Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tanner, Alabama. It awarded 1,358 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Calhoun Community College is $5,000. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,750. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,709 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Calhoun Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full John C Calhoun State Community College Report

#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 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 #9 on the list. 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,333 in student loans.

Coastal Alabama 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Coastal Alabama Community College

#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. Jeff State is a medium-sized public school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 1,217 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Alabama pay an average of $5,220 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Jeff State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,910. Associate Degree recipients from Jeff State accumulate an average of $9,688 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Jeff State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Jefferson State Community College Report

#11

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

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

Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. Andalusia, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 301 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend Lurleen B. Wallace Community College 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.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lurleen B Wallace Community College

#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. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the small public school awarded 572 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Students from Alabama who attend Shelton State Community College full time pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,730.

Online courses are available at Shelton State 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, 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 ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. Wadley, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 604 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Alabama pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southern Union State Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,670. Associate Degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College accumulate an average of $11,262 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Southern Union State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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 ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. Northeast is a public institution located in Rainsville, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 446 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northeast is $4,920. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,670. Associate Degree recipients from Northeast accumulate an average of $7,796 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Northeast does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#15

Northwest-Shoals Community College

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

Northwest-Shoals Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Alabama list. NW-SCC is a small public school situated in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It awarded 397 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NW-SCC is $5,011. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

One thing to take note of is that NW-SCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Northwest-Shoals Community College

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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