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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 259 schools in the Southeast Region 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 the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southeast Region . Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 1,276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Columbia Southern University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,015. 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 $16,106 in student loans.
Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Out of the 259 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Atlanta landed the # 2 spot on the list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Herzing University - Atlanta 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. Associate Degree recipients from Herzing University - Atlanta accumulate an average of $26,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Herzing University - Atlanta does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 90% 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 Herzing University - Birmingham. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region 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. 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.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Rasmussen University - Florida is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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 want to attend Rasmussen University - Florida, expect to pay an average of $13,842 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Florida accumulate an average of $21,089 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 Rasmussen University - Florida does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Southeast Region . This medium-sized public school is located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and it awarded 914 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480. Associate Degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,555 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Herzing University - Kenner came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Herzing University - Kenner is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Metairie, Louisiana that handed out 78 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,750 to cover tuition and fees at Herzing University - Kenner. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $24,465 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Herzing University - Kenner. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Danville Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Danville Community College is $4,725. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728. On average, associate degree students take out $11,262 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Danville Community College. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Bluegrass Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,618 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,640 in tuition and fees if they attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,560. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,199 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Bluegrass Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Richmond, Kentucky, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $9,844 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Eastern. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,222. On average, associate degree students take out $22,568 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastern. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, South University, Montgomery did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Montgomery, Alabama, and it awarded 44 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South University, Montgomery is $16,560. 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 South University, Montgomery accumulate an average of $24,698 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 South University, Montgomery does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, Trident Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Trident Technical College is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,438 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from South Carolina pay an average of $5,059 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Trident Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,606. Associate Degree recipients from Trident Technical College accumulate an average of $19,444 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Trident Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, South University, Columbia did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South University, Columbia is $16,560. 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 $24,698 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Columbia. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hodges University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Hodges University is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 44 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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. Associate Degree recipients from International College accumulate an average of $16,548 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 International College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Arkansas State University - Main Campus 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, the fairly large public school awarded 699 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arkansas pay an average of $7,456 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend A-State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,312. Associate Degree recipients from A-State accumulate an average of $16,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at A-State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Albany State University 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 #15 on the list. Albany State is located in Albany, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 698 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Georgia who attend Albany State full time pay an average of $5,484 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,206. On average, associate degree students take out $18,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Albany State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Spartanburg Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 617 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from South Carolina who attend Spartanburg Community College full time pay an average of $6,030 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,822. Associate Degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College accumulate an average of $9,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Spartanburg Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #17, Middle Georgia State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Middle Georgia State University is located in Macon, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 265 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Middle Georgia State University is $3,976. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,448. On average, associate degree students take out $17,774 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Middle Georgia State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 5,692 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northern Virginia Community College is $5,565. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. Associate Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $15,263 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 Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Jackson State Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. JSCC is a public institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 532 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JSCC is $4,396. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,076.
JSCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. HCC is located in Tampa, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,920 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Florida who attend HCC full time pay an average of $2,506 in tuition and fees. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at HCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Nicholls State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Nicholls State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It awarded 136 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,156 in tuition and fees if they attend Nicholls State University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,249. Associate Degree recipients from Nicholls State University accumulate an average of $16,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Nicholls State University, 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 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Georgia Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. CGTC is a public institution located in Warner Robins, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Georgia pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CGTC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,482. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,341 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that CGTC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Rome, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 523 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Georgia Northwestern Technical College is $3,112. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,512. On average, associate degree students take out $9,577 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Radford University 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 #24 on the list. Radford University is a medium-sized public school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 68 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,916 in tuition and fees if they attend Radford full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $24,453. Associate Degree recipients from Radford accumulate an average of $20,557 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Radford 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.
With a ranking of #25, South University, Virginia Beach did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. South University, Virginia Beach is a very small private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 23 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend South University, Virginia Beach, expect to pay an average of $16,560 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could 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 $24,698 in student loans.
South University, Virginia Beach 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 fact, around 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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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.
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