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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.
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.
Associate Degree recipients from UMA Clearwater accumulate an average of $17,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
UMA Clearwater does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 1,794 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 8,655 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927. Associate Degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $11,835 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 1,794 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,134 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $23,248 to cover tuition and fees at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. 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 $22,865 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Online courses are available at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, 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 48% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. This fairly large public school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 1,443 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,554 in student loans. Around 23% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that TSTC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend ECPI University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 1,812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend ECPI University, expect to pay an average of $18,484 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,059 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
ECPI University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. South College is a private for-profit institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,335 to cover tuition and fees at South College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from South College accumulate an average of $18,902 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Northwestern Ohio ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. 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.
If you want to attend University of Northwestern Ohio, expect to pay an average of $11,867 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced 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.
One thing to take note of is that University of Northwestern Ohio does offer online classes in some areas. 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 came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. This large private for-profit school is located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and it awarded 1,157 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Puerto Rico who attend National University College full time pay an average of $7,158 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,870. Associate Degree recipients from National University College accumulate an average of $13,487 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at National University College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Pasadena, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 5,788 students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Perkinston, Mississippi. It awarded 2,144 associate degrees 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,250. On average, associate degree students take out $12,629 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. CNM is a fairly large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 3,426 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Mexico pay an average of $1,858 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CNM. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CNM. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Culinary Institute of America 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. Located in Hyde Park, New York, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 564 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at The Culinary Institute of America is $36,620. 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 $12,958 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Online courses are available at The Culinary Institute of America, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Sonoran Desert Institute 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 #13 on the list. Sonoran Desert Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 816 associate degrees 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. 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.
Central Georgia Technical 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 #14 on the list. Warner Robins, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,042 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend CGTC full time pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,482. Associate Degree recipients from CGTC accumulate an average of $12,341 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CGTC. 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.
If you want to attend Southwest University at El Paso, expect to pay an average of $16,000 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 $24,700 in student loans. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwest University at El Paso is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Universal Technical Institute - Avondale came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Universal Technical Institute - Avondale is a small private for-profit school located in Avondale, Arizona that handed out 828 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,335 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Avondale
Sierra College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in Rocklin, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,257 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sierra College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,548. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,540 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sierra College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
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 awarded 10,398 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
MDC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
New York City College of Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Brooklyn, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,252 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New York pay an average of $7,320 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend City Tech. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,270. On average, associate degree students take out $10,175 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at City Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Embry-Riddle Worldwide is located in Daytona Beach, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 598 associate degrees to qualified students.
Embry-Riddle Worldwide does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $11,185. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,221 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.
Online courses are available at Embry-Riddle Worldwide, 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 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Lone Star College System 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. 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.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,735 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
North Harris Montgomery does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Houston Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school awarded 5,387 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they attend Houston Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Houston Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Pennsylvania College of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Williamsport, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 711 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $17,940 in tuition and fees if they attend Penn College full time. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Penn College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, Weber State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Ogden, Utah, the large public school handed out 3,110 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU is $6,391. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at WSU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,898 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wake Technical Community College is $2,768. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,912. Associate Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $19,897 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Wake Technical Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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:
Narrow Schools by Region
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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