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