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Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas

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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

51 Schools Ranked
$5,713 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,910 Avg Student Debt*

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.

The Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 51 schools in Texas 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.

Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Texas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Port Arthur, Texas
341 Total Awards
$7,890 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,232 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Lamar State College - Port Arthur the best value school in Texas for trade school students working on their associate degree. Port Arthur, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 341 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lamar State College - Port Arthur are $7,890 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,232 in student loans.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lamar State College - Port Arthur

#2

Lamar Institute of Technology

Beaumont, Texas
586 Total Awards
$12,636 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lamar Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. This small public school is located in Beaumont, Texas, and it awarded 586 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lamar Institute of Technology are $12,636 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,457 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lamar Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Lamar Institute of Technology also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Texas ranking.

Read full report on Lamar Institute of Technology

#3

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
349 Total Awards
$5,726 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 51 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s value ranking, Galveston College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Galveston College is located in Galveston, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 349 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,726 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,575 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Galveston College, 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 69% took at least some of their classes online.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Galveston College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Texas list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#4

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
778 Total Awards
$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 51 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s value ranking, Alvin Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Alvin Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Alvin, Texas that handed out 778 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $6,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Alvin does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Alvin Community College Report

#5

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
348 Total Awards
$4,896 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Panola College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school awarded 348 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,896 a year.

Online courses are available at Panola 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, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Panola College also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Texas list, coming in at #1.

Read More…

#6

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
7,626 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, El Centro College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 7,626 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at El Centro College. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

El Centro College also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Texas rankings.

Read More…

#7

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
1,267 Total Awards
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Lee 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 Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,267 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,113 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lee College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Lee College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Texas list.

Read More…

#8

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
5,819 Total Awards
$8,235 Average Tuition & Fees

Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Tarrant County College is a large public school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 5,819 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Tarrant County College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,235 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,880 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Tarrant County 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, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Tarrant County College District

#9

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
5,788 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jacinto Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. San Jacinto Community College is a large public school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 5,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,614 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 San Jacinto College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full San Jacinto Community College Report

4,361 Total Awards
$5,614 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,085 Avg Student Debt

Collin County 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 #9 on the list. Collin County Community College District is a public institution located in McKinney, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,361 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Collin County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $5,614 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#11

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
1,411 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,653 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Amarillo College is a medium-sized public school located in Amarillo, Texas that handed out 1,411 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,653 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Amarillo College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Amarillo College Report

#12

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
347 Total Awards
$5,112 Average Tuition & Fees

Victoria 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 #12 on the list. Victoria College is a small public school located in Victoria, Texas that handed out 347 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

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.

Online courses are available at Victoria 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, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online 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 Texas list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#13

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
583 Total Awards
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,690 Avg Student Debt

College of the Mainland 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 #13 on the list. COM is a public institution located in Texas City, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 583 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

COM undergraduate students pay an average of $3,873 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,690 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since COM does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full College of the Mainland Report

1,102 Total Awards
$4,948 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Brownsville landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a public institution located in Brownsville, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,102 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The University of Texas at Brownsville undergraduate students pay an average of $4,948 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,404 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at The University of Texas at Brownsville. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Brownsville

#15

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
580 Total Awards
$5,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 580 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,052 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Wharton County Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

#16

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
408 Total Awards
$6,449 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas 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. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,117 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

NTCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, NTCC is ranked #3 for overall quality in Texas.

Read full report on Northeast Texas Community College

#17

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
1,518 Total Awards
$7,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,895 Avg Student Debt

Central Texas College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Killeen, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,518 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Texas College are $7,500 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,895 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Texas College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Central Texas College Report

#18

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
1,723 Total Awards
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,813 Avg Student Debt

Tyler Junior College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Tyler Junior College is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,723 associate degrees 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.

Online courses are available at Tyler Junior 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, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Tyler Junior College Report

#19

Temple College

Temple, Texas
660 Total Awards
$6,576 Average Tuition & Fees

Temple College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Temple College is a small public school located in Temple, Texas that handed out 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Temple College are $6,576 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,725 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Temple College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
3,702 Total Awards
$7,500 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,702 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Texas College are $7,500 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South Texas College. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on South Texas College

#21

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
3,394 Total Awards
$5,314 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,729 Avg Student Debt

El Paso Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This large public school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 3,394 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

El Paso Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,314 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,729 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since El Paso Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#22

Navarro College

Corsicana, Texas
906 Total Awards
$6,368 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Navarro College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Corsicana, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 906 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Navarro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,368 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,152 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Navarro College. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Navarro College Report

#23

Howard College

Big Spring, Texas
416 Total Awards
$6,030 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,810 Avg Student Debt

Howard College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Howard County Junior College is a public institution located in Big Spring, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 416 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Howard County Junior College are $6,030 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,810 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Howard County Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Howard College Report

#24

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
5,387 Total Awards
$5,460 Average Tuition & Fees

Houston Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Houston Community College is located in Houston, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,387 associate degrees to qualified students.

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 offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Houston Community College Report

#25

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
957 Total Awards
$4,857 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,033 Avg Student Debt

South Plains College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 957 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Plains College are $4,857 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,033 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that South Plains College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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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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