2023 Most Popular Trade Schools
A trade school student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Trade Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 4,626 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Ivy Tech Community College the most popular school in the United States for trade school students working on their degree. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31,118 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $11,090 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ivy Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,780 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Out of the 4,626 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, National University College landed the # 2 spot on the list. This large private for-profit school is located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and it awarded 9,792 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,725 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $42, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National University College graduates make an average of $18,994 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the United States. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7,575 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,507 in student loans.After graduating from UMA Clearwater, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $21,883 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,138 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $124. Once they receive their degree, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,280 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Phoenix - Arizona is a great place for trade school students. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 26,013 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $38,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $155, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UOPX - Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,608 during the early years of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Tulsa Technology Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Tulsa Tech is a small public school situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It awarded 3,211 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Tulsa Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,478 during the early year of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working.
Jefferson Community and Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools list. Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,096 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,442 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Jefferson Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,170 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Central Georgia Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. CGTC is located in Warner Robins, Georgia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,744 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from CGTC accumulate an average of $9,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CGTC graduates make an average of $28,707 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Escoffier - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,638 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,155 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $156. Once they receive their degree, Escoffier - Boulder graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,698 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
With a ranking of #11, DeVry University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This large private for-profit school is located in Naperville, Illinois, and it awarded 9,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $39,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $138. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Lone Star College System ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools list. The Woodlands, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 11,449 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,174 in student loans.After graduating from North Harris Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,839 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools list. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,648 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $10,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
ECPI University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools list. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,661 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $151 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECPI University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,263 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
San Jacinto Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. This large public school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 8,335 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,844 in student loans.After graduating from San Jacinto College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,140 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbus State Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Columbus State is located in Columbus, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,820 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $12,197 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Texas State Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools list. Located in Waco, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 2,555 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,471 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, TSTC graduates make an average of $37,389 annually. Around 18% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Mountainland Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Lehi, Utah is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,277 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Mountainland Technical College graduates make an average of $28,245 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Rome, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,233 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,523 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Georgia Northwestern Technical College graduates make an average of $34,809 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #20, Sinclair Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 10,362 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Sinclair Community College accumulate an average of $11,437 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Sinclair Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,938 during the early year of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,706 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of $44,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $201. During the early years of their career, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale graduates make an average of $40,413 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $17,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wake Technical Community College graduates make an average of $34,991 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools ranking. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and it awarded 3,705 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,712 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $817 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Embry-Riddle Worldwide, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,116 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Hinds Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools ranking. Raymond, Mississippi is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,168 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,551 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Hinds Community College graduates make an average of $31,701 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,012 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,554 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NWTC graduates make an average of $36,536 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
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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