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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky
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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Kentucky 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.
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 Kentucky
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Elizabethtown Community and Technical College the best value school in Kentucky for trade school students working on their associate degree. Elizabethtown, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 914 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College are $15,480 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,555 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Kentucky list, coming in at #1.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
The excellent associate degree programs at Bluegrass Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Kentucky. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 1,618 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,560 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,199 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 Bluegrass Community and Technical College 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.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Kentucky list.
Out of the 23 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s value ranking, Madisonville Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Madisonville, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 409 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madisonville Community College are $15,480 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,179 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Madisonville Community College. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Madisonville Community College also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Kentucky rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Somerset Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Somerset, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 644 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
SCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,480 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,814 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at SCC, 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 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 23 schools in Kentucky that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. SKYCTC is a small public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 586 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SKYCTC are $15,480 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,239 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SKYCTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,323 students in 2021-2022.
Jefferson Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,560 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,682 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Jefferson Community and Technical 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 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Jefferson Community and Technical College
Gateway Community and 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 #7 on the list. Gateway is a public institution located in Florence, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 543 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Gateway undergraduate students pay an average of $15,560 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,453 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gateway. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #8, Owensboro Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Owensboro Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Owensboro, Kentucky that handed out 656 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Owensboro Community and Technical College are $15,480 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,225 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Owensboro Community and Technical College. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hopkinsville Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Hopkinsville Community College is located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 398 associate degrees to qualified students.
Hopkinsville Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,480 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,902 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Hopkinsville Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Paducah, Kentucky, and it awarded 544 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are $15,480 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,260 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that West Kentucky Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Henderson Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Henderson Community College is a small public school situated in Henderson, Kentucky. It awarded 197 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Henderson Community College are $15,480 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,057 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Henderson Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, the fairly large public school awarded 117 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Eastern are $20,222 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,568 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Eastern. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Eastern not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Kentucky list.
With a ranking of #13, Ashland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Ashland, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 354 students in 2021-2022.
ACTC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,480 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,819 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ACTC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
Hazard Community and 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 #14 on the list. Hazard Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Hazard, Kentucky. It awarded 363 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hazard Community and Technical College are $15,480 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,503 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Hazard Community and Technical 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 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Cumberland, Kentucky that handed out 374 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast are $15,480 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,747 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southeast. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Big Sandy Community and 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 #16 on the list. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Prestonsburg, Kentucky that handed out 416 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Big Sandy Community and Technical College are $15,480 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,955 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Big Sandy Community and Technical 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 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Maysville Community and Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. Maysville Community and Technical College is located in Maysville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 401 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Maysville Community and Technical College are $15,480 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,251 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Maysville Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Morehead State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Morehead, Kentucky, and it awarded 150 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morehead State University are $14,286 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,734 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Morehead State University does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Sullivan University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. This small private for-profit school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 348 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Sullivan University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,220 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,005 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sullivan University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
Sullivan University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Kentucky list.
Western Kentucky University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky list. WKU is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 166 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WKU are $27,072 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,689 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at WKU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Beckfield College - Florence came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the very small private for-profit school handed out 93 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Beckfield College - Florence are $13,295 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,760 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Beckfield College - Florence 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 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
American National University - Lexington 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 #22 on the list. ANU Lexington is located in Pikeville, Kentucky and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 43 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ANU Lexington are $10,314 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,853 in student loans.
ANU Lexington is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 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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