2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 67 schools in California 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. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named West Hills College-Lemoore the best value school in California for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Lemoore, California, and it awarded 767 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at West Hills College-Lemoore are $10,110 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at West Hills College-Lemoore, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
West Hills College-Lemoore not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Merced College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,615 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Merced Community College District are $7,890 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Merced Community College District. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Merced Community College District did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Canada College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Redwood City, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 462 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Canada College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,006 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,256 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Canada College. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Canada College also took the #3 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California rankings.
The excellent associate degree programs at Santa Barbara City College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in California. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 2,590 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SBCC are $9,322 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,141 in student loans.
SBCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
SBCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.
Out of the 67 schools in California that were part of this year’s value ranking, Cuesta College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Cuesta College is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,629 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $9,348 per 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 not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.
Foothill College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. Foothill College is located in Los Altos Hills, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 998 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Foothill College are $11,510 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,968 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Foothill College. 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, Foothill College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.
Saddleback 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 #7 on the list. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in Mission Viejo, California that handed out 3,760 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Saddleback College are $9,814 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,010 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Saddleback College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Saddleback College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Napa Valley 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 #8 on the list. Napa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 612 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $9,388 a year.
Napa Valley 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Napa Valley College also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking.
Gavilan 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 #9 on the list. Gavilan College is a small public school located in Gilroy, California that handed out 641 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Gavilan College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,238 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gavilan College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Gavilan College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,631 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Delta are $9,072 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delta. During the 2020-2021 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Delta also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #11, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Mt. SAC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,096 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,514 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 10% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mt. SAC also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #12, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Aptos, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,994 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Cabrillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,630 in tuition and fees each year.
Cabrillo 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Cabrillo College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SRJC are $9,310 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,618 in loans while pursuing their degree.
SRJC 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 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRJC also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Yuba College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Yuba College is a medium-sized public school situated in Marysville, California. It awarded 1,330 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Yuba College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Fresno City College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Fresno City College is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 2,386 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Fresno City College are $8,890 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,603 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Fresno City College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Butte College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Butte College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oroville, California. It awarded 1,193 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,816 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,921 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Butte College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
West Hills College-Coalinga came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. West Hills College-Coalinga is a small public school located in Coalinga, California that handed out 533 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
West Hills College-Coalinga undergraduate students pay an average of $10,110 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $7,816 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at West Hills College-Coalinga, 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, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, College of the Desert did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. College of the Desert is a fairly large public school located in Palm Desert, California that handed out 1,412 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
College of the Desert undergraduate students pay an average of $9,138 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Desert. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cerritos College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Cerritos College is a fairly large public school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 2,591 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Cerritos College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,324 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,198 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cerritos College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. Sacramento City College is a fairly large public school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 1,884 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Sacramento City are $10,768 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,597 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Sacramento City does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
American River 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 #21 on the list. American River is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 2,570 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
American River undergraduate students pay an average of $10,768 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,842 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at American River. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons 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 Santa Clarita, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,257 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Canyons are $9,322 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
College of the Canyons 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.
Modesto Junior College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. MJC is a fairly large public school situated in Modesto, California. It awarded 2,385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
MJC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,308 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at MJC, 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, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of the Sequoias ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Visalia, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,782 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
College of the Sequoias undergraduate students pay an average of $8,338 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,218 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at College of the Sequoias, 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 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 #25 on the list. Ventura, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,456 students in 2021-2022.
Ventura College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,146 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,615 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ventura College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Value Trade Associate 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
- 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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