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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee

2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee

18 Schools Ranked
$5,829 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,071 Avg Student Debt

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one 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.

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 Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
532 Total Awards
$4,396 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Jackson State Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Tennessee. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 532 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend JSCC full time pay an average of $4,396 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076.

JSCC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#2

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
967 Total Awards
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees
$3,554 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Motlow State Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee list. This medium-sized public school is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and it awarded 967 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees if they attend Motlow full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,232. On average, associate degree students take out $3,554 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Motlow does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Motlow State Community College Report

41 Total Awards
$21,194 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Remington College - Memphis Campus is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Remington College - Memphis Campus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 41 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from Remington College - Memphis Campus accumulate an average of $21,194 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Remington College - Memphis Campus. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

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#4

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, Tennessee
1,201 Total Awards
$4,404 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,049 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 18 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Volunteer State Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Volunteer State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Gallatin, Tennessee that handed out 1,201 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at VSCC is $4,404. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,220. Associate Degree recipients from VSCC accumulate an average of $11,049 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 VSCC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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926 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 18 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 926 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Southwest full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,246.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#6

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee
136 Total Awards
$23,870 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,339 Avg Student Debt

Southern Adventist University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Southern Adventist is located in Collegedale, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 136 associate degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Southern Adventist, expect to pay an average of $23,870 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 $21,339 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Southern Adventist does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Southern Adventist University Report

#7

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
850 Total Awards
$4,724 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,564 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Roane State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Harriman, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 850 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Roane State Community College is $4,724. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,540. On average, associate degree students take out $11,564 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Roane State 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Roane State Community College Report

#8

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
932 Total Awards
$4,399 Average Tuition & Fees
$4,796 Avg Student Debt

Walters State 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 #8 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Morristown, Tennessee, and it awarded 932 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend WSCC full time pay an average of $4,399 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,215. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,796 in student loans.

WSCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

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#9

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
1,163 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,604 Avg Student Debt

Chattanooga State Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Chattanooga State Community College is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,163 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chattanooga State Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,246. Associate Degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College accumulate an average of $15,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Chattanooga State Community College. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Chattanooga State Community College

#10

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
951 Total Awards
$4,372 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,983 Avg Student Debt

Nashville State Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 951 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,372 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Nashville State Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,188. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,983 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Nashville State Community 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 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Nashville State Community College

#11

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
934 Total Awards
$4,480 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,670 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Columbia State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Columbia State Community College is a small public school located in Columbia, Tennessee that handed out 934 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Columbia State Community College full time pay an average of $4,480 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,260. Associate Degree recipients from Columbia State Community College accumulate an average of $11,670 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbia State Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.

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#12

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
868 Total Awards
$4,422 Average Tuition & Fees
$5,286 Avg Student Debt

Northeast State Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Northeast State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Blountville, Tennessee that handed out 868 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,422 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northeast State Technical Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,238. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $5,286 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Northeast State Technical Community College. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Northeast State Community College Report

#13

Daymar College - Clarksville

Clarksville, Tennessee
87 Total Awards
$21,172 Avg Student Debt

Daymar College - Clarksville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Daymar College - Clarksville is a very small private for-profit school located in Clarksville, Tennessee that handed out 87 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,172 in student loans.

Daymar College - Clarksville 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 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Daymar College - Clarksville Report

#14

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
407 Total Awards
$4,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,185 Avg Student Debt

Dyersburg State 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 #14 on the list. DSCC is a small public school situated in Dyersburg, Tennessee. It awarded 407 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,410 in tuition and fees if they attend DSCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,226. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,185 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DSCC. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Dyersburg State Community College

#15

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
1,415 Total Awards
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,776 Avg Student Debt

Pellissippi State Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,415 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,456 in tuition and fees if they attend Pellissippi State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,272. Associate Degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College accumulate an average of $9,776 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 Pellissippi State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#16

Daymar College - Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee
6 Total Awards
$23,260 Avg Student Debt

Daymar College - Nashville ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 6 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,260 in student loans.

Read full report on Daymar College - Nashville

#17

Daymar College - Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3 Total Awards
$21,172 Avg Student Debt

Daymar College - Murfreesboro came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,172 in student loans.

Full Daymar College - Murfreesboro Report

#18

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
449 Total Awards
$4,400 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,386 Avg Student Debt

Cleveland State Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, the small public school handed out 449 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Cleveland State Community College full time pay an average of $4,400 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,216. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,386 in student loans.

Cleveland State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 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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