2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
The Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 113 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Seattle Central College the best value school in the Far Western US Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 840 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $5,354 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,264 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Seattle Central. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Centralia College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Far Western US Region . Located in Centralia, Washington, the small public school awarded 372 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Centralia College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,381 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 113 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Highline College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Des Moines, Washington, and it awarded 893 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Highline undergraduate students pay an average of $4,948 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,593 in student loans.
Highline does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means North Seattle College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. North Seattle is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 373 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
North Seattle undergraduate students pay an average of $5,547 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Seattle. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 113 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Bellingham Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 389 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute are $5,357 a year.
Online courses are available at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute, 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, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Merced College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Merced Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 1,615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Merced Community College District are $7,890 per year.
Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
Merced Community College District did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CPTC is a small public school situated in Lakewood, Washington. It awarded 463 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,979 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,933 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CPTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Wenatchee Valley College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school awarded 702 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
WVC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,458 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,181 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at WVC, 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.
With a ranking of #9, Gavilan College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Gilroy, California, the small public school awarded 641 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gavilan College are $7,238 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gavilan College. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gavilan College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Umpqua Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Umpqua Community College is a small public school situated in Roseburg, Oregon. It awarded 268 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Umpqua Community College are $5,945 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,820 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Umpqua Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Spokane Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 1,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,278 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,221 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spokane Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Cuesta College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,629 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Cuesta College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,348 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,988 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuesta College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list, coming in at #5.
Canada College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Canada College is a medium-sized public school situated in Redwood City, California. It awarded 462 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Canada College are $9,006 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,256 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Canada College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
Canada College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Yuba College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Yuba College is a medium-sized public school situated in Marysville, California. It awarded 1,330 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Yuba College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Yuba College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,590 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SBCC are $9,322 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at SBCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
SBCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Napa Valley College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Napa, California, the small public school handed out 612 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $9,388 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Napa Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Napa Valley College also is in the top 10% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
Butte College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Oroville, California, and it awarded 1,193 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,816 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,921 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 Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Butte College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Spokane Falls Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,031 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,278 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,767 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Spokane Falls Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Aptos, California, and it awarded 1,994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cabrillo College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Cabrillo College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Shoreline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Shoreline Community College is a small public school situated in Shoreline, Washington. It awarded 746 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Shoreline Community College are $7,082 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
West Hills College-Lemoore ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Lemoore, California, the small public school awarded 767 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Hills College-Lemoore are $10,110 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at West Hills College-Lemoore. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, West Hills College-Lemoore is ranked #1 for overall quality in the Far Western US Region .
Ventura College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Ventura, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,456 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Ventura College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,146 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Ventura 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 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bellevue College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. BC is a fairly large public school situated in Bellevue, Washington. It awarded 1,783 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
BC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,838 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its great value ranking, BC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Yakima Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Yakima, Washington, the small public school awarded 697 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at YVC are $5,488 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,351 in student loans.
YVC 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 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Stockton, California, and it awarded 3,631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Delta undergraduate students pay an average of $9,072 in tuition and fees each year.
Delta does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Delta excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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