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 2023 rankings named Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater the most popular school in the United States for trade school students working on their associate degree. Clearwater, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 5,503 students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $24,458 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
UMA Clearwater 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 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,161 students in 2020-2021.
Students from Indiana who attend Ivy Tech Community College full time pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927. Associate Degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $15,984 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and it awarded 1,938 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, expect to pay an average of $22,000 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of $27,011 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. In 2019-2020 about 45% 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, Texas State Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. TSTC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,108 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,405 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 15% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at TSTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend ECPI University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 1,004 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend ECPI University, expect to pay an average of $17,479 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $24,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECPI University. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
South 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 #6 on the list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 878 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at South College is $17,335. 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 South College accumulate an average of $28,086 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
South 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of Northwestern Ohio came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. University of Northwestern Ohio is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lima, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 817 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northwestern Ohio does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $11,619. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,111 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 7% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at University of Northwestern Ohio. During the 2019-2020 year, about 27% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
National University College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. National University College is a private for-profit institution located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 827 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at National University College is $6,919. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,995. Associate Degree recipients from National University College accumulate an average of $14,703 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Online courses are available at National University College, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This large public school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 776 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,960 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at San Jacinto College, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Perkinston, Mississippi is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 711 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $3,950 in tuition and fees if they attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,250. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,702 in student loans. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 726 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CNM is $1,684. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,540. On average, associate degree students take out $13,658 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CNM does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. 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 665 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at The Culinary Institute of America is $35,550. 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 $14,124 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since The Culinary Institute of America does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Sonoran Desert Institute landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Sonoran Desert Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 650 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Sonoran Desert Institute, expect to pay an average of $10,950 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Sonoran Desert Institute accumulate an average of $17,914 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 1% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Sonoran Desert Institute is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Central Georgia Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 670 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $3,042 in tuition and fees if they attend CGTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,442. On average, associate degree students take out $19,777 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
CGTC 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 2019-2020 year, about 63% 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. Southwest University at El Paso is a private for-profit institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 632 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Southwest University at El Paso does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,000. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $28,491 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Southwest University at El Paso does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 1% took at least some of their classes 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 630 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from UTI Avondale accumulate an average of $18,670 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 3% were women.
Sierra 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 #17 on the list. Rocklin, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 818 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they attend Sierra College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,900. Associate Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $16,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Sierra College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Miami Dade College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. MDC is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 674 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MDC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,661. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,819 in student loans. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MDC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
New York City College of Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Located in Brooklyn, New York, the fairly large public school handed out 573 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $7,320 in tuition and fees if they attend City Tech full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,270. On average, associate degree students take out $12,093 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at City Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #20, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Daytona Beach, Florida that handed out 553 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Embry-Riddle Worldwide does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $10,748. 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 $22,219 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
Embry-Riddle Worldwide does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Lone Star College System landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Lone Star College System is a large public school located in The Woodlands, Texas that handed out 730 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Texas who attend North Harris Montgomery full time pay an average of $4,848 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $15,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Online courses are available at North Harris Montgomery, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Houston Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 547 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they attend Houston Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,460. Associate Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $23,597 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Houston Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a small public school located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania that handed out 520 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $17,610 in tuition and fees if they attend Penn College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,170. Associate Degree recipients from Penn College accumulate an average of $25,119 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 28% were women.
Penn 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 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Weber State University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 546 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU is $6,228. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,644. On average, associate degree students take out $20,128 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
WSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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 568 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they attend Wake Technical Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,857 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
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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