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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 95 schools in the Plains States 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 Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Waldorf University the best school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Waldorf is a small private for-profit school situated in Forest City, Iowa. It awarded 116 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Waldorf, expect to pay an average of $24,526 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Waldorf. 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.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Bismarck State College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Bismarck, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 759 students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Dakota who attend BSC full time pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,227. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,985 in student loans.
Online courses are available at BSC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Ranken Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Ranken Technical College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 403 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College is $16,960. 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 Ranken Technical College accumulate an average of $12,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Ranken Technical 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, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rockhurst University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rockhurst University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rockhurst is $41,701. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,940 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Rockhurst does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 95 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Alexandria Technical & Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 337 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend ATCC, expect to pay an average of $6,107 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $13,721 in loans while pursuing their degree.
ATCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
St Catherine 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 #6 on the list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 245 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
St. Kate’s does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $37,494. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from St. Kate’s accumulate an average of $20,415 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
St. Kate’s does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dunwoody College 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 #7 on the list. Dunwoody College of Technology is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 316 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend Dunwoody College of Technology, expect to pay an average of $24,611 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 $15,809 in student loans.
Dunwoody College of Technology 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 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Dakota State College of Science 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 Wahpeton, North Dakota, the small public school awarded 501 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees if they attend North Dakota State College of Science full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,879. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,866 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Dakota State College of Science does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 29% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lake Area Technical Institute 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. LATI is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 514 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
LATI does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,718. This amount may 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 $13,775 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LATI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota 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 #10 on the list. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a very small private for-profit school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $12,285 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - North Dakota. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota 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 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Southeast Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it awarded 522 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,650 to cover tuition and fees at Southeast Tech. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Southeast Tech accumulate an average of $16,094 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southeast Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 1,328 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,765 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 690 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rochester Community and Technical College, expect to pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rochester Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $18,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Kansas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. K -State is a fairly large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 20 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $10,448 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend K -State. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $26,519.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since K -State does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Anoka Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 187 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka Technical College is $6,075. 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 Anoka Technical College accumulate an average of $17,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Flint Hills Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 85 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Flint Hills Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,932. This amount may 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 $9,240 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Flint Hills Technical 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 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rasmussen University - Kansas landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Rasmussen University - Kansas is a very small private for-profit school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 233 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Kansas, expect to pay an average of $13,958 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Kansas accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Johnson County Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. JCCC is a fairly large public school situated in Overland Park, Kansas. It awarded 1,631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $2,784 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend JCCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,472. Associate Degree recipients from JCCC accumulate an average of $13,857 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at JCCC. 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.
Ridgewater College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Willmar, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 548 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,114 to cover tuition and fees at Ridgewater College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,925 in student loans.
Ridgewater 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #20, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, the small public school awarded 211 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Iowa who attend Northwest Iowa Community College full time pay an average of $6,870 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,170. Associate Degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College accumulate an average of $11,532 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 Northwest Iowa Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Dakota State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 105 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from South Dakota pay an average of $9,299 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Dakota State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,809. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,834 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Dakota State. In 2020-2021 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
State Technical College of Missouri landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Linn, Missouri, the small public school handed out 615 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees if they attend STC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,320. Associate Degree recipients from STC accumulate an average of $10,706 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at STC, 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 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
St Cloud Technical and Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 735 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College, expect to pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that St Cloud Technical and Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Newman University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Newman University is located in Wichita, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 31 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,400 to cover tuition and fees at Newman University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $16,846 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Newman University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 25% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, Mitchell Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Mitchell Tech is a small public school situated in Mitchell, South Dakota. It awarded 303 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Mitchell Tech is $7,524. 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 Mitchell Tech accumulate an average of $13,352 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mitchell Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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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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