2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan
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. 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Michigan to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
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 Michigan
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Wayne County Community College District to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Michigan. This fairly large public school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCCCD are $3,998 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,009 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WCCCD does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 27% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Oakland Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,433 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Oakland Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 41% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Oakland Community College also took the #3 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan rankings.
Out of the 29 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s value ranking, Schoolcraft College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Livonia, Michigan, and it awarded 1,043 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Schoolcraft College are $7,652 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,741 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Schoolcraft College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Schoolcraft College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan ranking.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Henry Ford College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 1,337 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Henry Ford College are $7,348 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,013 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Henry Ford College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Mott Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Michigan. Mott Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $7,091 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,202 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in Warren, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 2,252 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Macomb Community College are $7,830 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $7,489 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Macomb Community College. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Washtenaw Community College is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,471 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Washtenaw Community College are $6,096 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,506 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Washtenaw Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
West Shore Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. West Shore Community College is located in Scottville, Michigan and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 155 associate degrees to qualified students.
West Shore Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,570 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,251 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at West Shore Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, Delta 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 University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 901 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Delta College are $7,250 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,609 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delta College. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Delta College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list, coming in at #4.
With a ranking of #10, Kirtland Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Grayling, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 172 students in 2021-2022.
Kirtland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,910 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,267 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Kirtland Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Alpena Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Alpena, Michigan, the small public school handed out 197 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Alpena Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,995 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Alpena Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Alpena Community College also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan rankings.
Jackson College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Jackson College is a small public school situated in Jackson, Michigan. It awarded 676 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Jackson College are $9,375 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,760 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Jackson College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Jackson College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list, coming in at #5.
With a ranking of #13, Kellogg Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Battle Creek, Michigan, the small public school awarded 573 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kellogg Community College are $9,038 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,756 in student loans.
Kellogg Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the medium-sized public school handed out 875 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,596 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,956 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lansing 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 #15 on the list. LCC is located in Lansing, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,276 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $10,760 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,495 in student loans.
LCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Grand Rapids 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 #16 on the list. Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,204 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Grand Rapids Community College are $11,679 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,167 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Grand Rapids Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Michigan College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan list. Benton Harbor, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 365 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LMC are $7,148 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,600 in student loans.
Since LMC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Traverse City, Michigan, and it awarded 526 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NMC are $12,048 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,316 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
NMC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mid Michigan College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan list. Mid Michigan College is a small public school located in Harrison, Michigan that handed out 351 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mid Michigan College are $8,908 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,477 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Mid Michigan College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ferris State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan list. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 758 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ferris are $13,608 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,257 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Ferris, 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ferris did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list.
St Clair County Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. SC4 is a public institution located in Port Huron, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 798 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
SC4 undergraduate students pay an average of $12,990 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SC4. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Southwestern Michigan College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. SMC is a small public school situated in Dowagiac, Michigan. It awarded 281 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SMC are $7,649 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,683 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at SMC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Muskegon Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Muskegon Community College is a small public school located in Muskegon, Michigan that handed out 505 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Muskegon Community College are $14,810 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,252 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Muskegon Community College. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Baker College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Michigan list. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Owosso, Michigan that handed out 379 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Baker College are $12,710 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,261 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Baker College. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bay de Noc 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 #25 on the list. Located in Escanaba, Michigan, the small public school awarded 254 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bay College are $11,160 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,154 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bay College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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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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