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2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 46 schools in California to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Stanford University the best school in California for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 1,699 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $58,416 to cover tuition and fees at Stanford. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $14,541 in loans while pursuing their degree.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Foothill College is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Foothill College is a fairly large public school situated in Los Altos Hills, California. It awarded 76 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Foothill College full time pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,510. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $14,019 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Foothill 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 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of the Pacific helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in California. Located in Stockton, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 869 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $53,682 to cover tuition and fees at Pacific. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Pacific accumulate an average of $22,151 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Dominican University of California is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. DUofC is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Rafael, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 394 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend DUofC, expect to pay an average of $49,426 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,811 in student loans.
DUofC 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 47% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5,642 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at USC is $64,726. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from USC accumulate an average of $14,843 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 USC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Diego State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 8,969 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $8,174 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SDSU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,054. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,840 in loans while pursuing their degree.
SDSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Notre Dame de Namur University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Notre Dame de Namur University is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Belmont, California that handed out 46 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,955 in loans while pursuing their degree.
The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in San Diego, California, the large private for-profit school handed out 6,531 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
UAGC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,160. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $32,903 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, UAGC is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. Fresno Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 684 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Fresno Pacific, expect to pay an average of $34,188 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,208 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Fresno Pacific does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,364 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $7,439 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cal Poly Pomona. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,319. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cal Poly Pomona accumulate an average of $17,594 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cal Poly Pomona. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is located in Visalia, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 160 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia accumulate an average of $18,756 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pacific Union College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Angwin, California, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 119 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
PUC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,678. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since PUC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,758 students in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,754 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since National University does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - Chico landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 4,117 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $7,972 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chico State. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,852. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,500 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Chico State does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University Maritime Academy came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Cal Maritime is a very small public school situated in Vallejo, California. It awarded 214 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cal Maritime full time pay an average of $7,116 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,996. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cal Maritime accumulate an average of $25,657 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cal Maritime. 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.
Biola University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in La Mirada, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 844 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,111 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Biola does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Long Beach landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This large public school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 9,259 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,884 in tuition and fees if they attend CSULB full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,764. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,381 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSULB. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
California State University - Channel Islands came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,895 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend CSUCI full time pay an average of $6,817 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,697. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUCI accumulate an average of $17,928 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at CSUCI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,553 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $7,734 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Stan State. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,614. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,229 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Stan State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - East Bay came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 3,876 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees if they attend Cal State East Bay full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,875. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,431 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cal State East Bay does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Sacramento came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. This large public school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 7,486 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $7,484 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sac State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,364. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,817 in student loans.
Sac State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Concordia University, Irvine ranked #22 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California list. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit school located in Irvine, California that handed out 440 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $40,180 to cover tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,539 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Concordia University, Irvine. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Los Alamitos, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 120 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,640 to cover tuition and fees at TUW. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,290 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since TUW does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Fresno did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,191 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,663 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno State full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,543. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,135 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Fresno State. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
San Francisco State University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in San Francisco, California, the large public school awarded 6,087 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SFSU is $7,524. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,404. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,707 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SFSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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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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