Find Trade Colleges
2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools
A trade school student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education opportunities 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 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 381 schools in the United States to see which online associate degree programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
Most Popular Online Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our analysis found Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 6,241 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,203 in student loans. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means South College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. South College is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South College is $17,335. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,902 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Sonoran Desert Institute is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Sonoran Desert Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 816 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Sonoran Desert Institute, expect to pay an average of $11,960 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,168 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Since Sonoran Desert Institute is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
The excellent associate degree programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the United States. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 598 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Embry-Riddle Worldwide is $11,185. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Embry-Riddle Worldwide accumulate an average of $21,221 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.
Around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Full Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Report
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Central Georgia Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,042 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees if they attend CGTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,482. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,341 in student loans. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
Columbia Southern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,276 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,015 to cover tuition and fees at Columbia Southern University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $16,106 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Columbia Southern University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is located in San Mateo, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 548 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of $17,818 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2020-2021 about 31% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools list.
Excelsior University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Albany, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,240 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Excelsior University accumulate an average of $12,110 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Excelsior University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
With a ranking of #10, DeVry University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend DeVry University - Illinois, expect to pay an average of $15,032 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $29,129 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Perkinston, Mississippi, and it awarded 2,144 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,950 in tuition and fees if they attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,250. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,629 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Unitek College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school situated in Fremont, California. It awarded 333 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,249 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saddleback College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Saddleback College is a public institution located in Mission Viejo, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,760 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Saddleback College is $1,334. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,814. Associate Degree recipients from Saddleback College accumulate an average of $8,010 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Ross College-Sylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Ross College-Sylvania is a private for-profit institution located in Sylvania, Ohio. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 201 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,049 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bryant & Stratton College - Online landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Bryant & Stratton College - Online is located in Orchard Park, New York and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 902 associate degrees to qualified students.
Bryant & Stratton College - Online does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,295. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Bryant & Stratton College - Online accumulate an average of $22,949 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Bryant & Stratton College - Online is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Pima Medical Institute - Tucson did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. This small private for-profit school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 567 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from PMI Tucson accumulate an average of $23,034 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Grantham University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Grantham University is a medium-sized public school located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas that handed out 469 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Grantham University is $8,280. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,802 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Grantham University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. WVJC Morgantown is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 291 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend WVJC Morgantown, expect to pay an average of $14,102 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from WVJC Morgantown accumulate an average of $10,989 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
Around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Houston, Texas, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 146 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,313. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service accumulate an average of $8,955 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Monroe College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Monroe College is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Bronx, New York. It awarded 875 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,442 to cover tuition and fees at Monroe College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Monroe College accumulate an average of $15,013 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. SNHU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Manchester, New Hampshire. It awarded 3,321 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at SNHU is $15,380. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from SNHU accumulate an average of $17,725 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest is a small private for-profit school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 308 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $21,333 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest
ECPI University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 1,812 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $18,484 to cover tuition and fees at ECPI University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,059 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, James A Rhodes State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rhodes State College is located in Lima, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 301 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Ohio who attend Rhodes State College full time pay an average of $4,532 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,742. On average, associate degree students take out $13,353 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Online Trade Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by Region
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Trade Associate Degree Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | South University’s online programs | Savannah, GA |
| 52 | School Removed | |
| 53 | Advanced Technology Institute | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 54 | Bryan University | Tempe, AZ |
| 55 | St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL |
| 56 | Central Texas College | Killeen, TX |
| 56 | Community Care College | Tulsa, OK |
| 58 | Azusa Pacific University College | San Dimas, CA |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI |
| 59 | Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD |
| 59 | Carrington College, Phoenix North | Phoenix, AZ |
| 59 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park | Woodland Park, NJ |
| 63 | San Juan College | Farmington, NM |
| 63 | Martinsburg College | Martinsburg, WV |
| 65 | Brookline College - Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ |
| 66 | American National University | Salem, VA |
| 67 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO |
| 68 | Waldorf University | Forest City, IA |
| 69 | Utah State University | Logan, UT |
| 69 | Eastern Gateway Community College | Steubenville, OH |
| 69 | Valley College-Martinsburg | Martinsburg, WV |
| 69 | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA |
| 73 | Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS |
| 74 | Texas State Technical College | Waco, TX |
| 74 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH |
| 74 | Bryan University | Springfield, MO |
| 77 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Salisbury, NC |
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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.