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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 24 schools in Minnesota to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Alexandria Technical & Community College the best school in Minnesota for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Alexandria, Minnesota, and it awarded 337 associate degrees 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ATCC. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 24 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Dunwoody College of Technology landed the # 2 spot on the list. Dunwoody College of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 316 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Dunwoody College of Technology is $24,611. 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 $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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 24 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the # 3 spot on the list. St. Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,328 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota, expect to pay an average of $13,765 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 $21,089 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Minnesota, 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 87% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rochester Community and Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota list. 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.
Online courses are available at Rochester Community and Technical 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 61% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Anoka Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota. The school has a small population, 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Anoka Technical 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.
Ridgewater 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 #6 on the list. Ridgewater College is a small public school situated in Willmar, Minnesota. It awarded 548 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Ridgewater College, expect to pay an average of $6,114 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $14,925 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ridgewater College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
St Cloud Technical and Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 735 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community 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. On average, associate degree students take out $15,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
With a ranking of #8, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Northland Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College is $6,244. 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 Northland Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $17,992 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Northland Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 533 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,881 to cover tuition and fees at Hennepin Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College accumulate an average of $17,370 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Hennepin 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, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Century College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,105 to cover tuition and fees at Century College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $19,410 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Century College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Northwest Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. This very small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 115 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at NTC is $6,226. 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 $13,981 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NTC 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 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Saint Paul College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Saint Paul College is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 560 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Saint Paul College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,318. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Saint Paul College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. DCTC is a public institution located in Rosemount, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 420 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at DCTC is $6,419. 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 DCTC accumulate an average of $13,504 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at DCTC, 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, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, South Central College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in North Mankato, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 375 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,146 to cover tuition and fees at South Central College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $15,951 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Central College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,112 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,655 to cover tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $17,814 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus. 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.
With a ranking of #16, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 727 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at M State is $5,900. 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 M State accumulate an average of $16,782 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that M State does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 613 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
North Hennepin Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,050. 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 $18,106 in student loans.
Online courses are available at North Hennepin 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 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 954 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,098. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #19, Hibbing Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Hibbing Community College is a small public school situated in Hibbing, Minnesota. It awarded 643 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Hibbing Community College is $5,970. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,268. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,638 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hibbing Community College. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Central Lakes College is located in Brainerd, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 503 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Central Lakes College is $6,140. 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 $15,319 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Lakes College. In 2020-2021 about 34% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Normandale Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomington, Minnesota. It awarded 1,371 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Normandale Community College, expect to pay an average of $6,321 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Normandale Community College accumulate an average of $16,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Normandale Community College. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Minnesota West Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Granite Falls, Minnesota that handed out 239 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees if they attend Minnesota West full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,332. Associate Degree recipients from Minnesota West accumulate an average of $14,120 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 Minnesota West does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lake Superior 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. LSC is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 672 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend LSC, expect to pay an average of $6,404 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,655 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State College Southeast came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota State College Southeast is a small public school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 173 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend MSC Southeast, expect to pay an average of $7,490 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from MSC Southeast accumulate an average of $18,279 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MSC Southeast does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% 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 24 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.