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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region
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 the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 87 schools in the Southwest Region 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 the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Central Arizona College the best school in the Southwest Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Central Arizona College is a small public school located in Coolidge, Arizona that handed out 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,534 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Pinal 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 84% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Panola College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Southwest Region . Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school handed out 348 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Panola College full time pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,896.
Panola College 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.
Out of the 87 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Tarleton State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Tarleton State University is a fairly large public school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 25 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tarleton is $7,848. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,640. On average, associate degree students take out $14,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tarleton. 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.
Out of the 87 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the # 4 spot on the list. El Centro College is a large public school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 7,626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $15,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 70% 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 Northeast Texas Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. NTCC is located in Mount Pleasant, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 408 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NTCC is $5,009. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,449. Associate Degree recipients from NTCC accumulate an average of $15,117 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NTCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lee College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Baytown, Texas, and it awarded 1,267 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lee College is $3,882. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,302. On average, associate degree students take out $10,113 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Lee College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Weatherford College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Weatherford College is a medium-sized public school situated in Weatherford, Texas. It awarded 741 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $6,300 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Weatherford College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,610. On average, associate degree students take out $11,867 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Weatherford 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. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology 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. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a small public school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 567 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OSU Institute of Technology is $5,774. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,384. On average, associate degree students take out $12,809 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OSU Institute of Technology. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Hallmark 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 #9 on the list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 148 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Hallmark accumulate an average of $19,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hallmark. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Texas State Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. TSTC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,443 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $13,554 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
TSTC 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 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Remington College - North Houston Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Remington College - North Houston Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 22 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $21,173 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Remington College - North Houston Campus. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Read full report on Remington College - North Houston Campus
Lamar Institute of Technology landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Beaumont, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 586 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Lamar Institute of Technology full time pay an average of $2,844 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,636. On average, associate degree students take out $13,457 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Lamar Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Galveston College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Galveston, Texas, and it awarded 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,266 in tuition and fees if they attend Galveston College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,726. On average, associate degree students take out $12,575 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Galveston 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 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern Oklahoma 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 #14 on the list. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a small public school located in Weatherford, Oklahoma that handed out 119 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Oklahoma pay an average of $8,130 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SWOSU. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,486 in student loans.
SWOSU 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 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Victoria College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small public school is located in Victoria, Texas, and it awarded 347 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Victoria College is $4,056. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,112. Associate Degree recipients from Victoria College accumulate an average of $11,658 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Victoria College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Remington College - Dallas Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,655 in student loans.
Remington College - Dallas Campus is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Remington College - Houston Southeast 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 #17 on the list. Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Webster, Texas. It awarded 12 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus accumulate an average of $20,888 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Read full report on Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus
With a ranking of #18, Temple College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Temple College is a public institution located in Temple, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,656 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Temple College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,576. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,725 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Temple College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. OCCC is a public institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,746 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Oklahoma who attend OCCC full time pay an average of $4,059 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,810. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,591 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OCCC. In 2020-2021 about 6% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #20, Murray State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 361 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Oklahoma pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Murray State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,830. Associate Degree recipients from Murray State College accumulate an average of $18,728 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Murray State College. In 2020-2021 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. OSU-OKC is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 737 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $3,779 in tuition and fees if they attend OSU-OKC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,564. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,145 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at OSU-OKC. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
South Texas 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 #22 on the list. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school handed out 3,702 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Texas College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
GateWay Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. GateWay Community College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 662 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend GateWay Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,353 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at GateWay Community College. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Austin Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Austin, Texas, the large public school awarded 4,621 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Austin Community College District full time pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,590. Associate Degree recipients from Austin Community College District accumulate an average of $13,045 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Austin Community College District. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Alvin Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Alvin, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 778 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they attend Alvin full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,010. Associate Degree recipients from Alvin accumulate an average of $6,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Alvin 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 33% took at least some of their classes online.
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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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