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Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California

21 Schools Ranked
$6,194 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,082 Avg Student Debt

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in California 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.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
548 Total Awards
$17,818 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts the most popular school in California for trade school students working on their associate degree. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 548 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,818 in student loans. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 31% took at least some of their classes online.

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#2

Unitek College

Fremont, California
333 Total Awards
$17,249 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Unitek College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Fremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 333 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from Unitek College accumulate an average of $17,249 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#3

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California
3,760 Total Awards
$1,334 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,010 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Saddleback College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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.

Students from California who attend Saddleback College full time pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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.

Full Saddleback College Report

#4

Carrington College, Sacramento

Sacramento, California
381 Total Awards
$22,853 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Carrington College, Sacramento landed the # 4 spot on the list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 381 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,853 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#5

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
2,590 Total Awards
$1,234 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,141 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Barbara City College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,590 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SBCC is $1,234. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,322. On average, associate degree students take out $17,141 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% 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.

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#6

Azusa Pacific University College

San Dimas, California
83 Total Awards
$11,128 Avg Student Debt

Azusa Pacific University College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Azusa Pacific’s University College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Dimas, California. It awarded 83 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from Azusa Pacific’s University College accumulate an average of $11,128 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.

Since Azusa Pacific’s University College 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.

Read full report on Azusa Pacific University College

#7

Laurus College

San Luis Obispo, California
129 Total Awards
$32,053 Avg Student Debt

Laurus College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Laurus College is a private for-profit institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 129 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,053 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Laurus College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Laurus College Report

#8

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, California
445 Total Awards
$18,031 Avg Student Debt

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is located in Visalia, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 445 associate degrees to qualified students.

On average, associate degree students take out $18,031 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#9

Merced College

Merced, California
1,615 Total Awards
$1,194 Average Tuition & Fees

Merced College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 1,615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Merced Community College District. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,890. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#10

Stanbridge University

Irvine, California
277 Total Awards
$28,875 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Stanbridge University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small private for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 277 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $28,875 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Stanbridge. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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68 Total Awards
$15,390 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,852 Avg Student Debt

California Institute of Arts & Technology 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 #10 on the list. California Institute of Arts & Technology is a very small private for-profit school located in San Diego, California that handed out 68 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

California Institute of Arts & Technology does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,390. This amount may 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 $18,852 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 19% were women.

California Institute of Arts & Technology is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full California Institute of Arts & Technology Report

#12

National Career College

Panorama City, California
27 Total Awards

With a ranking of #12, National Career College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Panorama City, California, the very small private for-profit school handed out 27 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

National Career College is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#13

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
81 Total Awards
$26,728 Average Tuition & Fees
$32,292 Avg Student Debt

Academy of Art University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 81 associate degrees to qualified students.

Academy of Art University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $26,728. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $32,292 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Academy of Art University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Academy of Art University Report

#14

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, California
872 Total Awards
$1,376 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,914 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, College of San Mateo did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. College of San Mateo is a medium-sized public school located in San Mateo, California that handed out 872 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from California who attend CSM full time pay an average of $1,376 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,552. Associate Degree recipients from CSM accumulate an average of $14,914 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full College of San Mateo Report

#15

Fremont College

Cerritos, California
49 Total Awards

Fremont College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Cerritos, California, the very small private for-profit school handed out 49 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Fremont College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read More…

#16

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, California
9 Total Awards

University of Antelope Valley landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. UAV is a private for-profit institution located in Lancaster, California. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 9 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 22% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 17% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Antelope Valley

#17

Compton College

Compton, California
678 Total Awards
$1,142 Average Tuition & Fees

Compton College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Compton College is a small public school situated in Compton, California. It awarded 678 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from California who attend Compton College full time pay an average of $1,142 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,822. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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$18,862 Avg Student Debt

Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,862 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield Report

#19

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, California
3,672 Total Awards
$1,150 Average Tuition & Fees

Santa Monica College 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 #19 on the list. Santa Monica College is a large public school located in Santa Monica, California that handed out 3,672 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,150 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SMC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,094. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#19

Advanced College

South Gate, <nil>

Advanced College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.

Read full report on Advanced College

#21

National University

San Diego, California
240 Total Awards
$13,447 Avg Student Debt

National University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 240 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $13,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on National University

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 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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