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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.
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 a fairly large public school located in Rocklin, California that handed out 4,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Sierra College full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Sierra College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Fresno City College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school awarded 2,386 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno City College full time. Out-of-state students 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. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Fresno City College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in San Mateo, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 548 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,818 in student loans. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 31% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. West Coast Ultrasound Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 357 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend West Coast Ultrasound Institute, expect to pay an average of $18,820 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 $21,568 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, West Coast Ultrasound Institute is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Universal Technical Institute - Sacramento. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 406 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,424 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Citrus College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Glendora, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,118 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,198 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Citrus College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,310. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Citrus College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small private for-profit school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 381 associate degrees 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Carrington College, Sacramento does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Diablo Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pleasant Hill, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,320 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,312 in tuition and fees if they attend Diablo Valley full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,328. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Diablo Valley. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Rancho Cucamonga, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 469 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from UTI Rancho Cucamonga accumulate an average of $17,335 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 3% were women.
Full Universal Technical Institute - Rancho Cucamonga Report
Saddleback 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 Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,760 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees if they attend Saddleback College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Saddleback College. 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 located in Pasadena, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,304 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,172 in tuition and fees if they attend Pasadena City College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,572. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,545 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Pasadena City College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southwestern College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Chula Vista, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,158 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,342 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SWC Chula Vista. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,490. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SWC Chula Vista. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Unitek College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school situated in Fremont, California. It awarded 333 associate degrees 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Unitek College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
CBD College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Community Based Education and Development is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 361 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Community Based Education and Development accumulate an average of $19,901 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Community Based Education and Development. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 10% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach 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. This small private for-profit school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 391 associate degrees 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.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Long Beach
Santa Ana College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. SAC is located in Santa Ana, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,570 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SAC is $1,180. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,788. Associate Degree recipients from SAC accumulate an average of $11,595 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SAC does offer online classes in some areas. 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. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 2,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SRJC. In 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #19, Skyline College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in San Bruno, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 992 associate degree awards 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Skyline College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cypress College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Cypress College is a fairly large public school situated in Cypress, California. It awarded 1,665 associate degrees 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. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cypress College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a small private for-profit school located in Visalia, California that handed out 445 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia accumulate an average of $18,031 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Antelope Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large public school located in Lancaster, California that handed out 2,172 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,124 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Antelope Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,724. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,058 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Antelope Valley 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 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Orange Coast College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Costa Mesa, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,366 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Orange Coast College full time pay an average of $1,202 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,762. On average, associate degree students take out $10,569 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Orange Coast 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Cerritos College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Norwalk, California, the fairly large public school awarded 2,591 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cerritos College full time pay an average of $1,364 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,324. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,198 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Cerritos 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 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
American Career College - Anaheim landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. American Career College - Anaheim is a small private for-profit school located in Anaheim, California that handed out 175 associate degrees 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at American Career College - Anaheim. 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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