2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
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're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 95 schools in the Plains States 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.
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 the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Southeast Community College Area the best value school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 1,022 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,864 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southeast Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Hutchinson Community 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 Hutchinson, Kansas, the small public school awarded 814 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,530 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,571 in student loans.
Hutchinson Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bismarck State College is a small public school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BSC are $7,227 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,985 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
BSC also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rochester Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Plains States Region . This small public school is located in Rochester, Minnesota, and it awarded 690 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rochester Community and Technical College are $5,670 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Rochester Community and Technical College 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 Plains States Region list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Neosho County Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Neosho County Community College is a small public school situated in Chanute, Kansas. It awarded 289 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Neosho County Community College are $4,416 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,521 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Neosho County Community College 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.
Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 337 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $6,107 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,721 in loans while pursuing their degree.
ATCC 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 49% took at least some of their classes online.
ATCC also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
Johnson County Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Overland Park, Kansas, and it awarded 1,631 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,472 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,857 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at JCCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, JCCC also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #8, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the fairly large public school handed out 1,366 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,815 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ridgewater College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Willmar, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 548 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $6,114 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,925 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ridgewater 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, Ridgewater College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Anoka Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka Technical College is a small public school situated in Anoka, Minnesota. It awarded 187 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Anoka Technical College 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 Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #11, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 735 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $6,075 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Central Community College is located in Grand Island, Nebraska and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 698 associate degrees to qualified students.
Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,350 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 Central Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northeast 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 #13 on the list. Northeast is a medium-sized public school situated in Norfolk, Nebraska. It awarded 683 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,130 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,841 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northeast. In 2020-2021 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Hennepin 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 #14 on the list. North Hennepin Community College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 613 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $5,050 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at North Hennepin Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hennepin Technical College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 533 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,881 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,370 in student loans.
Hennepin 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 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Dakota State College of Science came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State College of Science is a public institution located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 501 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
North Dakota State College of Science undergraduate students pay an average of $6,879 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,866 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Dakota State College of Science. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 29% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State College of Science also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Barton County Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Barton Community College is located in Great Bend, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 584 associate degrees to qualified students.
Barton Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,608 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,035 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 Barton Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Labette 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 #18 on the list. Labette Community College is a small public school situated in Parsons, Kansas. It awarded 204 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Labette Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,768 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,942 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Labette 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Watertown, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 514 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,775 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LATI. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
LATI also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Northland Community and Technical College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northland Community and Technical College are $6,244 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,992 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Northland Community and Technical 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, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Century College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Century College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,105 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,410 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Century 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 fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mid-Plains Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. North Platte, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 294 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mid-Plains Community College are $4,380 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,767 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mid-Plains Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Anoka-Ramsey 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 #23 on the list. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,112 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,655 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,814 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
Seward County Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Seward County Community College is a small public school located in Liberal, Kansas that handed out 175 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
SCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,928 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $6,777 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SCCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, Saint Paul College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Saint Paul College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 560 associate degrees to qualified students.
Saint Paul College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,318 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Paul 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.
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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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