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