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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. 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 the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 50 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region 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.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the Rocky Mountains Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,895 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,536 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,442 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BYU - I does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, BYU - I also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. CNCC is a small public school situated in Rangely, Colorado. It awarded 137 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CNCC are $6,740 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,923 in student loans.
CNCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 25% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
CNCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Highlands College of Montana Tech. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Highlands College of Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 53 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Highlands College of Montana Tech are $9,642 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,254 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Highlands College of Montana Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 29% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Highlands College of Montana Tech also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Western Wyoming Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Western Wyoming Community College is a small public school located in Rock Springs, Wyoming that handed out 262 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
WWCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,640 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WWCC 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 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, WWCC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend College of Eastern Idaho. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. CEI is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 276 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CEI are $6,750 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,077 in loans while pursuing their degree.
CEI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #6, Otero Junior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Otero JC is located in La Junta, Colorado and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 187 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,730 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,572 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Otero JC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 32% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northern Wyoming Community College District 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. Northern Wyoming Community College District is a public institution located in Sheridan, Wyoming. The school has a small population, and it awarded 472 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northern Wyoming Community College District are $11,130 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,152 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northern Wyoming Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northern Wyoming Community College District also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.
Read full report on Northern Wyoming Community College District
College of Southern Idaho 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. Located in Twin Falls, Idaho, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,011 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of Southern Idaho are $6,840 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,040 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that College of Southern Idaho does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Casper College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Casper, Wyoming is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 609 students in 2021-2022.
Casper College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,568 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,545 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Casper College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #10, North Idaho College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. North Idaho College is a small public school located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho that handed out 729 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NIC are $8,736 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NIC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of Western Idaho ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. College of Western Idaho is a medium-sized public school located in Nampa, Idaho that handed out 1,040 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
CWI undergraduate students pay an average of $7,344 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,967 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CWI. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, Laramie County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. LCCC is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 445 associate degrees to qualified students.
LCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,913 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,675 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 LCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, LCCC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Trinidad State Junior College is a small public school located in Trinidad, Colorado that handed out 241 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Trinidad State Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,360 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,954 in student loans.
Trinidad State Junior 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 15% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Miles Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Miles City, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 81 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Miles Community College are $10,110 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,203 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Miles Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Aims Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Aims Community College is located in Greeley, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 686 associate degrees to qualified students.
Aims Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,850 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,156 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Aims Community College. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Utah Valley University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Orem, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,917 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UVU are $17,830 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,562 in student loans.
UVU 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 57% took at least some of their classes online.
UVU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This small public school is located in Sterling, Colorado, and it awarded 215 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
NJC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,691 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,090 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that NJC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 30% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Helena College University of Montana ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Helena College University of Montana is a small public school located in Helena, Montana that handed out 138 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Helena College are $9,863 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,556 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Helena 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.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Salt Lake Community College is a large public school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 3,261 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Salt Lake Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,701 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,066 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 Salt Lake Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Providence ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. University of Providence is a private not-for-profit institution located in Great Falls, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 1 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
University of Providence undergraduate students pay an average of $27,606 in tuition and fees each year.
University of Providence is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
University of Providence also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #1.
Montana State University - Northern came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Montana State University - Northern is located in Havre, Montana and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 104 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Montana State University - Northern are $18,665 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,483 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Montana State University - Northern 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 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Montana State University - Northern did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Central Wyoming College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Riverton, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 242 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CWC are $10,980 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,984 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CWC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, Utah State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. USU is located in Logan, Utah and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,092 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USU are $24,223 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,964 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that USU does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
USU also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #3.
With a ranking of #25, Community College of Aurora did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. CCA is a medium-sized public school situated in Aurora, Colorado. It awarded 620 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CCA are $15,832 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,334 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CCA. In 2020-2021 about 22% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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