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2023 Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California
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 Trade Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 35 schools in California to see which ones had the most popular online programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Trade School Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts the most popular school in California for trade school students working on their degree. This small private for-profit school is located in San Mateo, California, and it awarded 1,423 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of $15,681 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $178 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,087 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Arizona Global Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 9,522 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,390 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UAGC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,029 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means National University is a great place for trade school students. National University is located in San Diego, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,315 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,607 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $294. During the early years of their career, National University graduates make an average of $58,580 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Out of the 35 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Unitek College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in Fremont, California that handed out 2,114 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,845 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Unitek College graduates make an average of $49,641 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
The programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in California. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a small private for-profit school located in Visalia, California that handed out 1,226 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,460 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $132 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,446 during the early year of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
Saddleback College 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. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school handed out 7,512 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,110 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Saddleback College graduates make an average of $73,348 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Carrington College, Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 1,150 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,149 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $134, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Carrington College, Sacramento graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,519 during the early year of their career. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Academy of Art University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California ranking. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,516 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $61,127 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $944, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Academy of Art University graduates make an average of $35,075 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Azusa Pacific University College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. San Dimas, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 427 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,856 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,767 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,141 in student loans.After graduating from SBCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,400 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Merced College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,892 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Merced Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,460 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
California Institute of Arts & Technology ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. California Institute of Arts & Technology is a very small private for-profit school located in San Diego, California that handed out 309 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $18,852 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, California Institute of Arts & Technology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,294 during the early year of their career. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
Laurus College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 171 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $32,053 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Laurus College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,442 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
National Career College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. Located in Panorama City, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 204 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from National Career College accumulate an average of $7,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $36, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National Career College graduates make an average of $31,018 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
With a ranking of #15, San Bernardino Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. San Bernardino Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 2,876 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from San Bernardino Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,038 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Antelope Valley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Lancaster, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 265 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UAV accumulate an average of $13,398 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 $46. During the early years of their career, UAV graduates make an average of $26,173 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
College of San Mateo landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. CSM is a public institution located in San Mateo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 982 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,914 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CSM graduates make an average of $56,787 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Stanbridge University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This small private for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 534 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Stanbridge accumulate an average of $41,098 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 $312.After graduating from Stanbridge, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,317 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
West Coast University - Orange County ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. This small private for-profit school is located in Anaheim, California, and it awarded 1,563 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $32,259 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $742, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from West Coast University - Orange County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $79,576 during the early years of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
Fremont College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. Located in Cerritos, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 87 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $28,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Fremont College graduates make an average of $30,844 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California ranking. Los Alamitos, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 810 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from TUW accumulate an average of $27,331 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, TUW graduates make an average of $46,846 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Loma Linda University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Loma Linda, California that handed out 1,470 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Loma Linda University accumulate an average of $99,966 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $383 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Loma Linda University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $77,096 during the early years of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Casa Loma College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Casa Loma College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Sherman Oaks, California that handed out 93 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Casa Loma College accumulate an average of $24,683 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Casa Loma College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,414 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Platt College - Los Angeles landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Alhambra, California, and it awarded 358 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,772 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $146.After graduating from Platt College - Los Angeles, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,682 during the early years of their career. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Compton College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in California list. Located in Compton, California, the small public school handed out 990 degrees in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
Most Popular Online Trade School Schools in the Far Western US Region
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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.