2023 Most Popular Associate Degree 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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 183 schools in California 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 California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Sierra College the most popular school in California for trade school students working on their associate degree. Sierra College is located in Rocklin, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,257 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sierra College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,548. On average, associate degree students take out $17,540 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Sierra College. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 183 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Fresno City College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Fresno City College is a large public school located in Fresno, California that handed out 2,386 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno City College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,890. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,603 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Fresno City College. In fact, around 88% 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 Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. 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.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,818 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you attend West Coast Ultrasound Institute. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 357 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
West Coast Ultrasound Institute does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,820. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from West Coast Ultrasound Institute accumulate an average of $21,568 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
West Coast Ultrasound Institute is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Universal Technical Institute - Sacramento is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. UTI Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 406 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from UTI Sacramento accumulate an average of $17,424 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Citrus 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. Citrus College is a medium-sized public school situated in Glendora, California. It awarded 2,118 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Citrus College is $1,198. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,310. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Citrus College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Carrington College, Sacramento 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. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 381 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 $22,853 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Carrington College, Sacramento does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Diablo Valley College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Pleasant Hill, California, and it awarded 2,320 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,312 in tuition and fees if they attend Diablo Valley full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,328. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Diablo Valley does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
Universal Technical Institute - Rancho Cucamonga came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 469 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,335 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 3% were women.
Saddleback College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,814. Associate Degree recipients from Saddleback College accumulate an average of $8,010 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Saddleback College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #11, Pasadena City College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pasadena City College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 5,304 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,172 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pasadena City College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,572. Associate Degree recipients from Pasadena City College accumulate an average of $7,545 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pasadena City College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. SWC Chula Vista is a public institution located in Chula Vista, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,158 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,342 in tuition and fees if they attend SWC Chula Vista full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,490. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SWC Chula Vista does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Unitek 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 #13 on the list. Fremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 333 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Unitek College accumulate an average of $17,249 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Unitek College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
CBD College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. CBD College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 361 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,901 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Community Based Education and Development. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mt. SAC is $1,352. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,096. Associate Degree recipients from Mt. SAC accumulate an average of $12,514 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Mt. SAC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 10% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach is a small private for-profit school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from UTI Long Beach accumulate an average of $17,335 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.
Santa Ana College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Santa Ana, California, the large public school handed out 2,570 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they attend SAC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,788. On average, associate degree students take out $11,595 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Online courses are available at SAC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Rosa Junior 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 #18 on the list. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,210 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees if they attend SRJC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,310. On average, associate degree students take out $15,618 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SRJC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Skyline 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. Skyline College is a public institution located in San Bruno, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 992 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they attend Skyline College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,508. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Skyline College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Cypress College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Cypress, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,665 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cypress College is $1,146. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,986. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Cypress 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Visalia, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 445 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $18,031 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
One thing to take note of is that San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley 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 #22 on the list. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Lancaster, California. It awarded 2,172 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Antelope Valley College full time pay an average of $1,124 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,724. On average, associate degree students take out $15,058 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Antelope Valley College. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Orange Coast 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 #23 on the list. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,366 students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Orange Coast College full time pay an average of $1,202 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,762. Associate Degree recipients from Orange Coast College accumulate an average of $10,569 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Orange Coast College. In 2020-2021 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cerritos College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Norwalk, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,591 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cerritos College is $1,364. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,324. On average, associate degree students take out $13,198 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cerritos College. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
American Career College - Anaheim came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Anaheim, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 175 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,909 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
American Career College - Anaheim does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 8% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | El Camino College | Torrance, CA |
| 30 | San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA |
| 31 | Merritt College | Oakland, CA |
| 32 | Platt College - Los Angeles | Alhambra, CA |
| 33 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
| 33 | Concorde Career College - Garden Grove | Garden Grove, CA |
| 35 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA |
| 36 | Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA |
| 37 | San Diego Mesa College | San Diego, CA |
| 37 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
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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