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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.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Waldorf University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Plains States Region . Waldorf University is a small private for-profit school located in Forest City, Iowa that handed out 116 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Waldorf does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,526. 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 $15,988 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Waldorf does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class 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 State College is a small public school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they attend BSC full time. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BSC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Ranken Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Ranken Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 403 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,960 to cover tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $12,617 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ranken Technical 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.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Rockhurst University is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rockhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $41,701 to cover tuition and fees at Rockhurst. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $9,940 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rockhurst. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 337 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,107. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ATCC accumulate an average of $13,721 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ATCC. 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 Alexandria Technical & Community College
St Catherine University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 245 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at St. Kate’s is $37,494. 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 $20,415 in student loans.
St. Kate’s does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 316 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Dunwoody College of Technology does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,611. 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 $15,809 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Dunwoody College of Technology. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Dakota State College of Science ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 501 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Dakota State College of Science. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,879. Associate Degree recipients from North Dakota State College of Science accumulate an average of $13,866 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
North Dakota State College of Science does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class 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 located in Watertown, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 514 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend LATI, expect to pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $13,775 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LATI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota, expect to pay an average of $12,285 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - North Dakota does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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.
The average tuition and fees at Southeast Tech is $7,650. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,094 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Southeast Tech does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,328 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $13,765. 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 Rasmussen University - Minnesota accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 690 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,670 to cover tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical 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 $18,059 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Kansas State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at K -State. 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 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 #15 on the list. This small public school is located in Anoka, Minnesota, and it awarded 187 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Anoka Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,075. This amount may be reduced 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Flint Hills Technical College is a small public school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 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. On average, associate degree students take out $9,240 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Flint Hills Technical 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, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Kansas landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Topeka, Kansas, the very small private for-profit school handed out 233 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,958. This amount may 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.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Kansas, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Johnson County Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Johnson County Community College is a fairly large public school located in Overland Park, Kansas that handed out 1,631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JCCC is $2,784. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,472. On average, associate degree students take out $13,857 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at JCCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Ridgewater College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Willmar, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 548 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Ridgewater College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,114. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Ridgewater College accumulate an average of $14,925 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Ridgewater College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Sheldon, Iowa, and it awarded 211 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Iowa who attend Northwest Iowa Community College full time pay an average of $6,870 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,170. On average, associate degree students take out $11,532 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Northwest Iowa Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, the fairly large public school awarded 105 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,299 in tuition and fees if they attend South Dakota State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,809. Associate Degree recipients from South Dakota State accumulate an average of $12,834 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Dakota State. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
State Technical College of Missouri came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Linn, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 615 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at STC is $7,440. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
With a ranking of #23, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 735 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,075 to cover tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of $15,759 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 St Cloud Technical and Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
Newman 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 #24 on the list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Newman University, expect to pay an average of $34,400 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Newman University accumulate an average of $16,846 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Newman University 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 25% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mitchell Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mitchell Tech is a public institution located in Mitchell, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 303 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,524 to cover tuition and fees at Mitchell Tech. 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 $13,352 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Mitchell Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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