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Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana

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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

16 Schools Ranked
$25,503 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,828 Avg Student Debt*

Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

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 Indiana to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 16 schools in Indiana 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. 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.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Indiana

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
8,655 Total Awards
$8,927 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Ivy Tech Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Indiana. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 8,655 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,835 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Ivy Tech Community 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 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Ivy Tech Community College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Indiana list, coming in at #3.

Read full report on Ivy Tech Community College

15 Total Awards
$9,576 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana list. Located in Angola, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trine are $9,576 a year.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Trine. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Trine is ranked #1 for overall quality in Indiana.

Full Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses Report

#3

Vincennes University

Vincennes, Indiana
1,481 Total Awards
$15,739 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Vincennes University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana list. Vincennes University is a fairly large public school located in Vincennes, Indiana that handed out 1,481 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Vincennes University are $15,739 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,591 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Vincennes University does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 14% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Vincennes University

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
51 Total Awards
$28,794 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 51 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Purdue are $28,794 per year.

Purdue 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 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Purdue did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Indiana list.

Read More…

87 Total Awards
$32,582 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Indiana. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 87 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IUPUI are $32,582 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,702 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IUPUI does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

IUPUI did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Indiana list.

Read full report on Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#6

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landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at are $0 per year.

Read full report on

#7

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana
52 Total Awards
$21,573 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized public school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 52 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PFW are $21,573 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,197 in loans while pursuing their degree.

PFW 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 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Purdue University Fort Wayne

#8

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana
19 Total Awards
$21,301 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Indiana University - South Bend are $21,301 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,759 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Indiana University - South Bend, 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, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Report

#9

Indiana University - Kokomo

Kokomo, Indiana
20 Total Awards
$21,301 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - Kokomo came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana ranking. Located in Kokomo, Indiana, the small public school handed out 20 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IU Kokomo are $21,301 a year.

IU Kokomo 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 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Indiana University - Kokomo

42 Total Awards
$21,301 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University - Northwest did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Indiana University - Northwest is a small public school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 42 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IU Northwest are $21,301 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,923 in student loans.

Online courses are available at IU Northwest, 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.

Read full report on Indiana University - Northwest

#11

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
64 Total Awards
$27,924 Average Tuition & Fees

Ball State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, the fairly large public school handed out 64 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Ball State undergraduate students pay an average of $27,924 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Ball State 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 2020-2021 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Ball State University Report

#12

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
42 Total Awards
$21,740 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, University of Southern Indiana 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 Evansville, Indiana, and it awarded 42 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

USI undergraduate students pay an average of $21,740 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,493 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at USI, 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 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

133 Total Awards
$15,280 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, International Business College - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. International Business College - Indianapolis is a private for-profit institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 133 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

International Business College - Indianapolis undergraduate students pay an average of $15,280 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,232 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Full International Business College - Indianapolis Report

#14

University of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana
29 Total Awards
$34,972 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Indianapolis 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 #14 on the list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 29 students in 2021-2022.

UIndy undergraduate students pay an average of $34,972 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $25,711 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UIndy. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

UIndy also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Indiana list, coming in at #4.

Full University of Indianapolis Report

142 Total Awards
$34,050 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Indiana ranking. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 142 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne are $34,050 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,961 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#16

University of Evansville

Evansville, Indiana
$41,336 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Evansville landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs.

UE undergraduate students pay an average of $41,336 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UE. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Evansville

Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 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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