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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 small public school situated in Coolidge, Arizona. It awarded 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.

Pinal County 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. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Central Arizona College

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

The excellent associate degree programs at Estrella Mountain Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Arizona. Estrella Mountain Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Avondale, Arizona. It awarded 1,208 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Estrella Mountain Community College. 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.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Estrella Mountain Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Estrella Mountain Community College Report

#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. This small public school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 662 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend GateWay Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $9,353 in loans while pursuing their degree.

GateWay 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. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on GateWay Community College

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. 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.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,782 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UOPX - Arizona does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Report

#5

DeVry University - Arizona

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means DeVry University - Arizona is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. DeVry University - Arizona is a very small private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 7 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend DeVry University - Arizona, expect to pay an average of $15,032 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 $27,154 in student loans.

DeVry University - Arizona does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

Full DeVry University - Arizona Report

#6

Mohave Community College

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

With a ranking of #6, Mohave Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Mohave Community College is a small public school located in Kingman, Arizona that handed out 387 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,136 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,996. On average, associate degree students take out $15,774 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Mohave Community College Report

#7

Northland Pioneer College

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

Northland Pioneer College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Holbrook, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 171 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NPC is $2,428. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,851.

Online courses are available at NPC, 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 Northland Pioneer College

#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. Phoenix College is a medium-sized public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 1,033 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Phoenix College. 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. 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.

Full Phoenix College Report

#9

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
457 Total Awards

Eastern Arizona College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona ranking. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the small public school handed out 457 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at Eastern Arizona 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, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Eastern Arizona College

#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. Mesa Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Mesa, Arizona. It awarded 1,815 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mesa Community College is $2,070. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Mesa Community College accumulate an average of $10,538 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Mesa Community 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, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

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 a fairly large public school located in Chandler, Arizona that handed out 1,291 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $8,445 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Chandler-Gilbert 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Chandler-Gilbert Community College Report

#12

Pima Community College

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

Pima Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona ranking. Pima County Community College District is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,807 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pima County Community College District is $2,298. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,614. On average, associate degree students take out $10,213 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Pima County Community College District. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

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

With a ranking of #13, Cochise County Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the small public school awarded 1,483 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $10,758 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cochise College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Cochise County Community College District

#14

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
864 Total Awards

Arizona Western College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. AWC is a public institution located in Yuma, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 864 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at AWC, 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 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Arizona Western College

#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. Prescott, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 689 students in 2021-2022.

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

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Yavapai College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Yavapai College

#16

Glendale Community College

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

Glendale Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona ranking. Glendale Community College is located in Glendale, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,568 associate degrees to qualified students.

Students from Arizona who attend Glendale Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,065 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Glendale 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Glendale Community College

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

American InterContinental University - Online ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Arizona list. 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.

The average tuition and fees at AIU Online is $12,422. 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 AIU Online accumulate an average of $22,426 in student debt by the time they complete 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 More…

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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