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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona

2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona

17 Schools Ranked
$4,249 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,384 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right 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 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 Arizona ranking. This report analyzed 17 schools in Arizona to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Arizona

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
491 Total Awards
$12,534 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Central Arizona College the best school in Arizona for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pinal County Community College is a public institution located in Coolidge, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $12,534 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Pinal County Community College. 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.

Read full report on Central Arizona College

1,208 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,698 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 17 schools in Arizona that were part of this year’s ranking, Estrella Mountain Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Estrella Mountain Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Avondale, Arizona. It awarded 1,208 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend Estrella Mountain Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College accumulate an average of $10,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Estrella Mountain Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#3

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona
662 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,353 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend GateWay Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $9,353 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at GateWay Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full GateWay Community College Report

3,066 Total Awards
$21,782 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at University of Phoenix - Arizona helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3,066 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $21,782 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UOPX - Arizona does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - Arizona

#5

DeVry University - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
7 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,154 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend DeVry University - Arizona. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. DeVry University - Arizona is a very small private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 7 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

DeVry University - Arizona does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Arizona accumulate an average of $27,154 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 DeVry University - Arizona does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#6

Mohave Community College

Kingman, Arizona
387 Total Awards
$2,136 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,774 Avg Student Debt

Mohave Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Kingman, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 387 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,136 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,996. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,774 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Mohave Community College Report

#7

Northland Pioneer College

Holbrook, Arizona
171 Total Awards
$2,428 Average Tuition & Fees

Northland Pioneer College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. This small public school is located in Holbrook, Arizona, and it awarded 171 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend NPC full time pay an average of $2,428 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,851.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NPC. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
1,033 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,866 Avg Student Debt

Phoenix 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. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,033 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Phoenix College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $10,866 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Phoenix College. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#9

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
457 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Arizona College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the small public school awarded 457 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastern Arizona College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 24% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Eastern Arizona College Report

#10

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
1,815 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,538 Avg Student Debt

Mesa Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. Located in Mesa, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 1,815 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mesa Community College. 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 $10,538 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mesa Community College. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Mesa Community College

1,291 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,445 Avg Student Debt

Chandler-Gilbert Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona ranking. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is located in Chandler, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,291 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Chandler-Gilbert Community College accumulate an average of $8,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Chandler-Gilbert Community College

#12

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
1,807 Total Awards
$2,298 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,213 Avg Student Debt

Pima 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 #12 on the list. Pima Community College is a fairly large public school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 1,807 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,298 in tuition and fees if they attend Pima County Community College District full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,614. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,213 in student loans.

Pima County Community College District 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 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Pima Community College

1,483 Total Awards
$10,758 Avg Student Debt

Cochise County Community College District landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Sierra Vista, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,483 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from Cochise College accumulate an average of $10,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cochise College. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#14

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
864 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, Arizona Western College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Yuma, Arizona, the medium-sized public school awarded 864 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at AWC. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Arizona Western College Report

#15

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
689 Total Awards
$16,264 Avg Student Debt

Yavapai College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. Yavapai College is located in Prescott, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 689 associate degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,264 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Yavapai College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Yavapai College Report

#16

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
1,568 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,065 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Glendale Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Glendale, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,568 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Glendale Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Glendale Community College accumulate an average of $8,065 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 Glendale Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

1,301 Total Awards
$12,422 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,426 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, American InterContinental University - Online did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Chandler, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,301 students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,422 to cover tuition and fees at AIU Online. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,426 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out AIU Online. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on American InterContinental University - Online

Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 17 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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