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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 131 schools in the Great Lakes 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.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. 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.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Northcentral Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Wausau, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 478 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,512 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,408 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Central Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Central Technical College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Fennimore, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 220 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest Tech are $6,731 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,841 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Southwest Tech does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwest Tech not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wayne County Community College District. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. WCCCD is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
WCCCD undergraduate students pay an average of $3,998 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,009 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at WCCCD, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 27% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 131 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Oakland Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Oakland Community College is a public institution located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,666 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Oakland Community College are $5,400 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Oakland 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 41% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Washington State Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school awarded 307 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSCC are $4,152 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,048 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 624 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,788 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,730 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Western 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 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Madison College is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,366 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,812 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,344 in student loans.
Madison College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Madison College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 796 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,793 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,093 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVTC. 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.
CVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Waukesha County Technical 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 641 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,722 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,845 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WCTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 22% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, WCTC also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #10, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. FVTC is a fairly large public school situated in Appleton, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
FVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,977 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at FVTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
FVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school situated in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It awarded 450 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,793 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Moraine Park Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 948 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,965 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,597 in student loans.
NWTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
NWTC also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #13, Blackhawk Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. BTC is a public institution located in Janesville, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 221 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BTC are $6,793 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,545 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #14, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 8,655 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,835 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cincinnati State are $9,558 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,555 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cincinnati State. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cincinnati State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Read full report on Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Lakeshore Technical College is a small public school located in Cleveland, Wisconsin that handed out 270 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTC are $6,326 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,782 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LTC. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Gateway Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 654 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,917 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,800 in student loans.
Gateway Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. James A Rhodes State College is a small public school located in Lima, Ohio that handed out 301 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rhodes State College are $8,742 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,353 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Rhodes State 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 35% took at least some of their classes online.
Rhodes State College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #19, Alpena Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Alpena Community College is a public institution located in Alpena, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 197 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alpena Community College are $7,995 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Alpena Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #19, Delta College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 901 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delta College are $7,250 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,609 in student loans.
Delta 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 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mid-State Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 239 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mid-State are $6,850 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,482 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Mid-State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. WITC is a public institution located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 340 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
WITC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,624 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,381 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WITC. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Schoolcraft College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Schoolcraft College is a medium-sized public school located in Livonia, Michigan that handed out 1,043 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Schoolcraft College are $7,652 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Schoolcraft 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 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Milwaukee Area Technical 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 #24 on the list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 1,217 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MATC are $7,018 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,866 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 MATC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 #25, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Belleville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,100 students in 2021-2022.
SWIC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,210 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,566 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SWIC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% 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 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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