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