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2026 Best Trade Schools in California
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in California? We have ranked 668 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 469 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in California
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of The Pacific this year in California. Located in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Get the full University Of The Pacific report
Out of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, National University landed the #2 spot. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. National University Trade students take on a median of $30,426 in debt. See the full National University profile
The strong Trade programs at West Hills College Lemoore earned it the #3 place in California. West Hills College Lemoore is a public school based in Lemoore, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. West Hills College Lemoore Trade students take on a median of $9,687 in debt. Read more about West Hills College Lemoore
You'll be in good company at Merced College, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical Trade student debt is $9,024. Read the full report on Merced College
The strong Trade programs at Santa Barbara City College earned it the #5 place in California. Santa Barbara City College is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Santa Barbara City College Trade students take on a median of $21,090 in debt. Read the full report on Santa Barbara City College
Foothill College placed #6 among Trade schools in California. Foothill College is a public school based in Los Altos Hills, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical Trade student debt is $11,595. Read more about Foothill College
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Cuesta College landed the #8 spot in California this year. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. More on Cuesta College
Canada College landed the #9 spot in California this year. Canada College is a public school based in Redwood City, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Canada College Trade students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on Canada College
San Diego State University placed #10 among Trade schools in California. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. See the full San Diego State University profile
Ashford University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University graduates 10% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Ashford University Trade students take on a median of $39,515 in debt. More on Ashford University
Napa Valley College landed the #12 spot in California this year. Set in Napa, CA, Napa Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,908 for out-of-state students. More on Napa Valley College
Mt San Antonio College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Mt San Antonio College is a public school based in Walnut, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Mt San Antonio College Trade students take on a median of $9,384 in debt. Read the full report on Mt San Antonio College
Crafton Hills College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Yucaipa, CA, Crafton Hills College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,188, while out-of-state students pay about $14,556. Typical Trade student debt is $23,000. See the full Crafton Hills College profile
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #15 among Trade schools in California. This public school is set in Pomona, CA. California State Polytechnic University Pomona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $17,226. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Gavilan College placed #16 among Trade schools in California. Located in Gilroy, CA, Gavilan College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Read more about Gavilan College
Pacific Union College landed the #17 spot in California this year. Located in Angwin, CA, Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Union College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Students from in state pay about $37,173 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $29,400. Read more about Pacific Union College
Butte College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Oroville, CA, Butte College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Butte College Trade students take on a median of $13,302 in debt. Read the full report on Butte College
Santa Rosa Junior College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Santa Rosa Junior College Trade students take on a median of $14,692 in debt. See the full Santa Rosa Junior College profile
Cabrillo College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Aptos, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Cabrillo College Trade students take on a median of $10,425 in debt. More on Cabrillo College
California State University Chico came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Chico, CA, California State University Chico is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Get the full California State University Chico report
California Maritime Academy ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Vallejo, CA. California Maritime Academy posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,559, compared with $22,159 for out-of-state students. California Maritime Academy Trade students take on a median of $24,249 in debt. Read the full report on California Maritime Academy
Los Angeles City College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Los Angeles City College is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. The median Trade program debt is $10,763. Read more about Los Angeles City College
San Joaquin Delta College placed #24 among Trade schools in California. Set in Stockton, CA, San Joaquin Delta College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. San Joaquin Delta College Trade students take on a median of $6,382 in debt. Read the full report on San Joaquin Delta College
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in San Bernardino, CA, San Bernardino Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. The median Trade program debt is $19,500. Read more about San Bernardino Valley College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in California
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
California State University Long Beach came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. More on California State University Long Beach
West Hills College Coalinga ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Coalinga, CA, West Hills College Coalinga is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, compared with $10,954 for out-of-state students. West Hills College Coalinga Trade students take on a median of $9,920 in debt. Read more about West Hills College Coalinga
Yuba College landed the #28 spot in California this year. This public school is set in Marysville, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical Trade student debt is $8,729. See the full Yuba College profile
Mti College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Sacramento, CA. Graduates carry a median of $10,356 in student loans. Get the full Mti College report
Saddleback College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Mission Viejo, CA, Saddleback College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. The median Trade program debt is $5,707. See the full Saddleback College profile
College Of The Sequoias placed #31 among Trade schools in California. This public school is set in Visalia, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. The median Trade program debt is $10,288. Read the full report on College Of The Sequoias
Victor Valley College placed #32 among Trade schools in California. Located in Victorville, CA, Victor Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Victor Valley College Trade students take on a median of $7,995 in debt. See the full Victor Valley College profile
College Of The Canyons placed #33 among Trade schools in California. College Of The Canyons is a public school based in Santa Clarita, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full College Of The Canyons report
Sacramento City College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Sacramento, CA, Sacramento City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Sacramento City College Trade students take on a median of $13,180 in debt. Get the full Sacramento City College report
California State University Fresno came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. California State University Fresno posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. California State University Fresno Trade students take on a median of $15,598 in debt. See the full California State University Fresno profile
Palomar College landed the #36 spot in California this year. Set in San Marcos, CA, Palomar College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Read more about Palomar College
Cerritos College placed #37 among Trade schools in California. Set in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Cerritos College Trade students take on a median of $11,306 in debt. Read the full report on Cerritos College
College Of The Desert placed #38 among Trade schools in California. Located in Palm Desert, CA, College Of The Desert is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Typical Trade student debt is $7,826. Get the full College Of The Desert report
Ventura College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Ventura College is a public school based in Ventura, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Get the full Ventura College report
Moorpark College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Moorpark, CA, Moorpark College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Read more about Moorpark College
Modesto Junior College landed the #41 spot in California this year. This public school is set in Modesto, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. The median Trade program debt is $8,575. Get the full Modesto Junior College report
Academy Of Art University placed #42 among Trade schools in California. This private for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. About 34% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,736. Typical Trade student debt is $33,568. See the full Academy Of Art University profile
Fresno City College placed #43 among Trade schools in California. Set in Fresno, CA, Fresno City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical Trade student debt is $7,234. Read the full report on Fresno City College
American River College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Sacramento, CA, American River College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. American River College Trade students take on a median of $14,105 in debt. Get the full American River College report
University Of Antelope Valley placed #45 among Trade schools in California. This private for-profit school is set in Lancaster, CA. Graduates carry a median of $16,377 in student loans. More on University Of Antelope Valley
California State University Northridge landed the #46 spot in California this year. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical Trade student debt is $16,202. Get the full California State University Northridge report
Cypress College placed #47 among Trade schools in California. Based in Cypress, CA, Cypress College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Read the full report on Cypress College
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #48 among Trade schools in California. Located in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. California State University Dominguez Hills Trade students take on a median of $15,886 in debt. Read more about California State University Dominguez Hills
College Of The Siskiyous came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Weed, CA, College Of The Siskiyous is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,444, while out-of-state students pay about $9,394. The median Trade program debt is $15,625. See the full College Of The Siskiyous profile
San Joaquin Valley College Visalia did well this year, earning the #51 position. Set in Visalia, CA, San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a private for-profit institution. Typical Trade student debt is $16,957. See the full San Joaquin Valley College Visalia profile
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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