2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas
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.
The Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Arkansas State University - Main Campus to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Arkansas. A-State is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 699 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $7,456 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend A-State. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,312. On average, associate degree students take out $16,556 in loans while pursuing their degree.
A-State 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 61% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arkansas Tech University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas list. ATU is a public institution located in Russellville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,563 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Arkansas who attend ATU full time pay an average of $8,071 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,891. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,337 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ATU. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arkansas State University - Newport. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Newport, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 309 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ASUN is $2,952. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,416. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,181 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ASUN does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas list. This medium-sized public school is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, and it awarded 1,135 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $4,450 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NWACC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,906. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,857 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NWACC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Arkansas. This small public school is located in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and it awarded 719 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Arkansas who attend UA Pulaski Tech full time pay an average of $5,820 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,050. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,692 in student loans.
UA Pulaski Tech 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 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Report
Henderson State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas ranking. Arkadelphia, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $7,560 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Henderson State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,768.
Online courses are available at Henderson State University, 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 67% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #7, University of Arkansas at Little Rock did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 361 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Arkansas who attend UA Little Rock full time pay an average of $9,512 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $21,767. Associate Degree recipients from UA Little Rock accumulate an average of $19,173 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UA Little Rock. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Black River Technical College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Black River Technical College is located in Pocahontas, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 375 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Black River Technical College is $4,440. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,888. Associate Degree recipients from Black River Technical College accumulate an average of $13,069 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 Black River Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UAFS is $6,418. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,594.
UAFS 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.
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas 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. This small public school is located in Helena, Arkansas, and it awarded 108 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Phillips County Community College is $3,500. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,060.
Phillips County Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 29% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Full Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Report
North Arkansas College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas list. Northark is a small public school situated in Harrison, Arkansas. It awarded 286 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,408 in tuition and fees if they attend Northark full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,136. On average, associate degree students take out $9,859 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Northark, 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, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
National Park 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. National Park College is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 239 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Arkansas who attend National Park College full time pay an average of $5,650 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,880. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,450 in student loans.
Online courses are available at National Park College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Arkansas Rich Mountain landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Mena, Arkansas, the very small public school awarded 189 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,720 in tuition and fees if they attend UA Rich Mountain full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,960.
UA Rich Mountain does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas ranking. Blytheville, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 164 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,822 in tuition and fees if they attend Arkansas Northeastern College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,222.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Arkansas Northeastern College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Arkansas Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in El Dorado, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 163 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Arkansas who attend SouthArk full time pay an average of $3,324 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,124. Associate Degree recipients from SouthArk accumulate an average of $13,467 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SouthArk. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Arkansas State University Three Rivers came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas ranking. ASU Three Rivers is a small public school situated in Malvern, Arkansas. It awarded 89 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ASU Three Rivers is $3,356. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,780. Associate Degree recipients from ASU Three Rivers accumulate an average of $15,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ASU Three Rivers does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 16% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #18, University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. UACCB is a public institution located in Batesville, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 195 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $3,126 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UACCB. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $3,750. On average, associate degree students take out $9,501 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UACCB. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Arkansas State University - Beebe ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arkansas list. Located in Beebe, Arkansas, the small public school handed out 601 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,024 in tuition and fees if they attend ASU-Beebe full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,728. On average, associate degree students take out $8,736 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ASU-Beebe does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home 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 #20 on the list. ASUMH is located in Mountain Home, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 275 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ASUMH is $3,024. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,632. On average, associate degree students take out $13,906 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ASUMH. In 2020-2021 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Southern Arkansas University Tech did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Camden, Arkansas, the very small public school awarded 210 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $4,830 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SAU Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,210. On average, associate degree students take out $7,273 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SAU Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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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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