2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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 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 the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 87 schools in the Southwest Region 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.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. 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.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used 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 Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Lee College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southwest Region . Lee College is located in Baytown, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,267 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,113 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Lee 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, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Lee College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest 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 Panola College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small public school is located in Carthage, Texas, and it awarded 348 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Panola College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,896 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Panola College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Panola College also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region rankings.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Arizona College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Pinal County Community College is a small public school situated in Coolidge, Arizona. It awarded 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pinal County Community College are $3,000 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,534 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pinal County Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Pinal County Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alvin Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Alvin is located in Alvin, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 778 associate degrees to qualified students.
Alvin undergraduate students pay an average of $4,010 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,112 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Alvin does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Clovis Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Southwest Region . Clovis Community College is a small public school situated in Clovis, New Mexico. It awarded 292 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $3,224 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,343 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Clovis Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, Victoria College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Victoria College is located in Victoria, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 347 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Victoria College are $5,112 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,658 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Victoria College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Victoria College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
El Centro 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. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 7,626 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,059 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, El Centro College is ranked #4 for overall quality in the Southwest Region .
Galveston College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small public school is located in Galveston, Texas, and it awarded 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,726 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,575 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Galveston 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Galveston College also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
With a ranking of #9, College of the Mainland did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school awarded 583 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,690 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
COM does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tyler Junior College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Tyler, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 1,723 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Tyler Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,440 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,813 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The University of Texas at Brownsville ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Brownsville, Texas. It awarded 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Brownsville are $4,948 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,404 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since The University of Texas at Brownsville does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, South Plains College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Levelland, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 957 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
South Plains College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,857 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,033 in student loans.
South Plains College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 580 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wharton County Junior College are $5,052 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,556 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wharton County Junior College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northeast Texas Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Northeast Texas Community College is a small public school located in Mount Pleasant, Texas that handed out 408 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTCC are $6,449 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,117 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at NTCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, NTCC is ranked #5 for overall quality in the Southwest Region .
Amarillo 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. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,411 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,653 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Amarillo College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, San Jacinto Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. San Jacinto College is a public institution located in Pasadena, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,614 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Jacinto College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, San Juan College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. SJC is a public institution located in Farmington, New Mexico. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 595 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SJC are $4,882 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,626 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SJC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. New Mexico State University - Carlsbad is a small public school located in Carlsbad, New Mexico that handed out 130 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,626 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at NMSU Carlsbad, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Collin County Community College District came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in McKinney, Texas, the large public school handed out 4,361 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,614 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,085 in student loans.
Collin County Community College District 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, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Collin County Community College District
With a ranking of #20, Houston Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school awarded 5,387 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Houston Community College are $5,460 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,178 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Houston 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 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Odessa 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Odessa, Texas, and it awarded 1,130 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Odessa College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,566 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,711 in student loans.
Odessa College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
Del Mar College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,324 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DMC are $5,990 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $6,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that DMC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Gallup, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 204 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNM Gallup are $5,422 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,575 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UNM Gallup. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Temple 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 #24 on the list. Located in Temple, Texas, the small public school awarded 660 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Temple College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,576 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,725 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Temple College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Temple College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Midland College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Midland, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 468 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Midland College are $5,880 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,234 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Midland College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% 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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