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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida
Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 Florida ranking. This report analyzed 34 schools in Florida to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Florida
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Rasmussen University - Florida to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Florida. Rasmussen University - Florida is located in Ocala, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,014 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,842 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Florida. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Florida 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 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Hodges University is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. International College is located in Fort Myers, Florida and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 44 associate degrees to qualified students.
International College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,500. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,548 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at International College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 34 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, Hillsborough Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. HCC is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,111. On average, associate degree students take out $16,096 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since HCC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valencia College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida list. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 8,600 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,474 in tuition and fees if they attend Valencia College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,383. On average, associate degree students take out $14,788 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Valencia College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 34 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, Miami Dade College landed the # 5 spot on the list. MDC is located in Miami, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10,398 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Florida who attend MDC full time pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. On average, associate degree students take out $13,654 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MDC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Florida SouthWestern State 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 #6 on the list. FSW is located in Fort Myers, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,240 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,401 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FSW. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,979. Associate Degree recipients from FSW accumulate an average of $12,150 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FSW. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Fe 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. Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,487 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Florida who attend Santa Fe College full time pay an average of $2,563 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,189. On average, associate degree students take out $14,615 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Santa Fe 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, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Florida Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Florida Institute of Technology is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Melbourne, Florida that handed out 36 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Florida Tech is $43,670. 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 Florida Tech accumulate an average of $23,409 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Florida Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 2% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Polk State 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. Located in Winter Haven, Florida, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,605 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend Polk State full time pay an average of $3,366 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,271. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,473 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Polk State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #10, Florida Gateway College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Florida Gateway College is a small public school located in Lake City, Florida that handed out 469 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,100 in tuition and fees if they attend FGC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,747. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,865 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FGC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Broward 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 #11 on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large public school awarded 6,046 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $2,830. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,952. Associate Degree recipients from BC accumulate an average of $9,156 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Palm Beach State College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida ranking. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 4,046 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,050 in tuition and fees if they attend Palm Beach State College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,910. On average, associate degree students take out $10,892 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Palm Beach State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Bradenton, Florida, and it awarded 1,631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,074 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,595. Associate Degree recipients from State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota accumulate an average of $11,602 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota
Florida State College at Jacksonville 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 #14 on the list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the large public school awarded 3,210 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FSCJ. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,631. On average, associate degree students take out $16,098 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that FSCJ does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Melbourne, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 2,632 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,791 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend EFSC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,976. Associate Degree recipients from EFSC accumulate an average of $16,784 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that EFSC does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
With a ranking of #16, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3,134 students in 2021-2022.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $23,248. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $22,865 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. 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.
With a ranking of #17, St Petersburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. St. Petersburg, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,899 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,682 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SPC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,286. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,937 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SPC. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
City College - Altamonte Springs landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Altamonte Springs, Florida is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 30 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $18,615 to cover tuition and fees at City College - Altamonte Springs. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from City College - Altamonte Springs accumulate an average of $23,233 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
City College - Altamonte Springs is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Saint Johns River State College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Palatka, Florida, and it awarded 941 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend St. Johns River Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,347. Associate Degree recipients from St. Johns River Community College accumulate an average of $16,519 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St. Johns River Community College. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. GCSC is a public institution located in Panama City, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 616 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GCSC is $2,370. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,635. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,951 in student loans.
GCSC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida ranking. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,516 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tallahassee Community College is $2,026. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,062. On average, associate degree students take out $16,185 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Tallahassee Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Seminole State College of Florida did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Sanford, Florida, and it awarded 2,593 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,131 in tuition and fees if they attend Seminole State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,456. Associate Degree recipients from Seminole State accumulate an average of $15,581 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Seminole State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Daytona State College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Florida list. Daytona Beach, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,973 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $3,106 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Daytona State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,994. Associate Degree recipients from Daytona State College accumulate an average of $13,278 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Daytona State College, 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 65% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #24, City College - Fort Lauderdale did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 37 students in 2021-2022.
City College - Fort Lauderdale does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,615. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $26,295 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out City College - Fort Lauderdale. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
With a ranking of #25, Indian River State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fort Pierce, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,279 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees if they attend Indian River State College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,201. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,917 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Indian River State College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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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.