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Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California

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. San Mateo, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 548 students 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.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 31% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

#2

Unitek College

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

The excellent associate degree programs at Unitek College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in California. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school situated in Fremont, California. It awarded 333 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,249 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Unitek College Report

#3

Saddleback College

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

Out of the 21 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Saddleback College landed the # 3 spot on the 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.

In-state students pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees if they attend Saddleback College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,814. On average, associate degree students take out $8,010 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 381 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $22,853 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.

Read More…

#5

Santa Barbara City College

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

The excellent associate degree programs at Santa Barbara City College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in California. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,590 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they attend SBCC full time. Out-of-state students 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.

Read full report on Santa Barbara City College

#6

Azusa Pacific University College

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

With a ranking of #6, Azusa Pacific University College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Azusa Pacific’s University College is located in San Dimas, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 83 associate degrees to qualified students.

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. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

Azusa Pacific’s University 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.

Full Azusa Pacific University College Report

#7

Laurus College

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

Laurus 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 #7 on the list. Laurus College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 129 associate degrees to qualified students.

On average, associate degree students take out $32,053 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

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

Read full report on Laurus College

#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 a small private for-profit school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 445 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $18,031 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

#9

Merced College

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

Merced 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 #9 on the list. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,615 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Out-of-state students 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.

Full Merced College Report

#10

Stanbridge University

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

Stanbridge University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 277 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,875 in student loans. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

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

Read More…

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

California Institute of Arts & Technology came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. 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.

The average tuition and fees at California Institute of Arts & Technology is $15,390. 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 $18,852 in student loans. Around 19% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out California Institute of Arts & Technology. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on California Institute of Arts & Technology

#12

National Career College

Panorama City, California
27 Total Awards

National Career 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 #12 on the list. National Career College is a private for-profit institution located in Panorama City, California. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 27 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

Since National Career 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.

Full National Career College Report

#13

Academy of Art University

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

With a ranking of #13, Academy of Art University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized private for-profit school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 81 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Academy of Art University is $26,728. 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 Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $32,292 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Academy of Art University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on Academy of Art University

#14

College of San Mateo

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

College of San Mateo 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 #14 on the list. San Mateo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 872 students in 2021-2022.

Students from California who attend CSM full time pay an average of $1,376 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Full College of San Mateo Report

#15

Fremont College

Cerritos, California
49 Total Awards

Fremont College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. This very small private for-profit school is located in Cerritos, California, and it awarded 49 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Fremont 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.

Read full report on Fremont College

#16

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, California
9 Total Awards

University of Antelope Valley 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 #16 on the list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Lancaster, California, and it awarded 9 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 22% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Antelope Valley Report

#17

Compton College

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

Compton College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Compton, California, the small public school handed out 678 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Compton College is $1,142. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,822. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Compton College

$18,862 Avg Student Debt

Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list.

Associate Degree recipients from Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield accumulate an average of $18,862 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield

#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. Located in Santa Monica, California, the large public school handed out 3,672 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SMC is $1,150. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,094. Around 61% of those degree recipients 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.

Full Santa Monica College Report

#19

Advanced College

South Gate, <nil>

Advanced College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking.

Read More…

#21

National University

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

National 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 #21 on the list. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 240 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $13,447 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 55% 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 full report on National University

Most Popular Online Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

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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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