2023 Most Popular Associate Degree 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.
The Most Popular 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 1,794 schools in the United States to see which associate degree 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 Associate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
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 awarded 6,241 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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.
Online courses are available at UMA Clearwater, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ivy Tech Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 8,655 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,835 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that handed out 3,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $23,248. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of $22,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Texas State Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. TSTC is located in Waco, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,443 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,554 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at TSTC. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at ECPI University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the United States. ECPI University is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ECPI University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,484. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $20,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ECPI University does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
South College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. South College is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend South College, expect to pay an average of $17,335 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 $18,902 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South College. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Northwestern Ohio came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Lima, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 996 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at University of Northwestern Ohio is $11,867. 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 University of Northwestern Ohio accumulate an average of $17,602 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 9% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Northwestern Ohio does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.
National University 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 #8 on the list. Located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the large private for-profit school handed out 1,157 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at National University College is $7,158. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,870. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,487 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
One thing to take note of is that National University College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
San Jacinto Community 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. San Jacinto College is a public institution located in Pasadena, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,614 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Jacinto College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community 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 #10 on the list. Located in Perkinston, Mississippi, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,144 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Mississippi who attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College full time pay an average of $3,950 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,250. Associate Degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College accumulate an average of $12,629 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
With a ranking of #11, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 3,426 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from New Mexico who attend CNM full time pay an average of $1,858 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,978. Associate Degree recipients from CNM accumulate an average of $9,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
One thing to take note of is that CNM does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, Culinary Institute of America did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. The Culinary Institute of America is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hyde Park, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 564 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $36,620 to cover tuition and fees at The Culinary Institute of America. 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 $12,958 in student loans. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at The Culinary Institute of America. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Sonoran Desert Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the small private for-profit school handed out 816 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Sonoran Desert Institute does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $11,960. 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 $15,168 in student loans. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Sonoran Desert Institute is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Central Georgia Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,482. On average, associate degree students take out $12,341 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
CGTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwest University at El Paso ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. This small private for-profit school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 549 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Southwest University at El Paso is $16,000. 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 $24,700 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Southwest University at El Paso. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Universal Technical Institute - Avondale 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. Located in Avondale, Arizona, the small private for-profit school awarded 828 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from UTI Avondale accumulate an average of $17,335 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Avondale
With a ranking of #17, Sierra College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rocklin, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,257 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sierra College is $1,156. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,548. Associate Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $17,540 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Sierra College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Miami Dade College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Miami, Florida, the large public school handed out 10,398 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MDC is $2,838. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. Associate Degree recipients from MDC accumulate an average of $13,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Online courses are available at MDC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
New York City College of Technology landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Brooklyn, New York, the fairly large public school awarded 1,252 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from New York who attend City Tech full time pay an average of $7,320 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,270. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,175 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Online courses are available at City Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide 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 #20 on the list. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Daytona Beach, Florida that handed out 598 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $11,185 to cover tuition and fees at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. 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 $21,221 in student loans. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Full Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Report
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. The Woodlands, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 8,774 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from North Harris Montgomery accumulate an average of $11,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Houston Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Houston Community College is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,387 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Houston Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,460. Associate Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $19,178 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Houston Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 711 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend Penn College full time pay an average of $17,940 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,680. On average, associate degree students take out $20,551 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Penn College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Weber State 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 #24 on the list. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,391 in tuition and fees if they attend WSU full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,084. Associate Degree recipients from WSU accumulate an average of $18,082 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 2,898 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wake Technical Community College is $2,768. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,912. On average, associate degree students take out $19,897 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wake Technical Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Associate Degree 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 Associate Degree 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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