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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
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.
The Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 24 schools in Minnesota 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.
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 Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rochester Community and Technical College the best value school in Minnesota for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rochester Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rochester Community and Technical College also took the #4 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota rankings.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Out of the 24 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s value ranking, Alexandria Technical & Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. ATCC is a public institution located in Alexandria, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and 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. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,721 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ATCC. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
ATCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Minnesota list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ridgewater College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Ridgewater College is a small public school situated in Willmar, Minnesota. It awarded 548 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $6,114 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,925 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Ridgewater 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, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 24 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s value ranking, Anoka Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Anoka Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. 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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Anoka Technical College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Out of the 24 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s value ranking, St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 735 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $6,075 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. North Hennepin Community College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 613 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $5,050 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,106 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Hennepin Community College. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hennepin 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. Hennepin Technical College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 533 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,881 per 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Northland 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 #8 on the list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota that handed out 385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Northland Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,244 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,992 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Century College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 1,188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Century College are $6,105 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,410 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Century 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.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public institution located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,112 associate degrees 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saint Paul College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. 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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,318 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,097 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Paul College. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Central 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. Located in North Mankato, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 375 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Central College are $6,146 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,951 in student loans.
South Central 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 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northwest 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 #13 on the list. This very small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 115 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTC are $6,226 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,981 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 420 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
DCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,419 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,504 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 727 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
M State undergraduate students pay an average of $5,900 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,782 in student loans.
M State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Minnesota State Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #16, Hibbing Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Hibbing Community College is a public institution located in Hibbing, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 643 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hibbing Community College are $7,268 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,638 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hibbing Community College. 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.
Minneapolis 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 #17 on the list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 954 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Minneapolis Community and Technical College are $6,098 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Minneapolis 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 fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Normandale Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 1,371 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Normandale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,321 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Normandale Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small public school is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and it awarded 503 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Lakes College are $6,140 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,319 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Central Lakes 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 34% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Lake Superior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 672 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LSC are $6,404 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,655 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LSC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 239 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota West are $12,332 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,120 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Minnesota West, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State College Southeast 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. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 173 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSC Southeast are $7,490 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,279 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MSC Southeast does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school located in St. Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 1,328 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota undergraduate students pay an average of $13,765 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota 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 87% 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, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is ranked #3 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Dunwoody College of Technology came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 316 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dunwoody College of Technology are $24,611 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,809 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Dunwoody College of Technology, 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 62% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Dunwoody College of Technology is ranked #2 for overall quality in Minnesota.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 24 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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