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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.
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Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Sierra College to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Located in Rocklin, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,257 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they attend Sierra College full time. 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.
Depending on your major, you 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. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school awarded 2,386 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Fresno City College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,890. Associate Degree recipients from Fresno City College accumulate an average of $4,603 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 Fresno City College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in California. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution located in San Mateo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,818 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Online courses are available at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 183 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, West Coast Ultrasound Institute landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 357 associate degree awards 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. On average, associate degree students take out $21,568 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
West Coast Ultrasound Institute is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Universal Technical Institute - Sacramento. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 406 students 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.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Sacramento
Citrus College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Citrus College is a public institution located in Glendora, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,118 associate degrees 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,310. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Citrus College. In 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Carrington College, Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 381 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $22,853 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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 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. Diablo Valley is a public institution located in Pleasant Hill, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,320 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Diablo Valley full time pay an average of $1,312 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,328. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Diablo Valley does offer online classes in some areas. 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 ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. UTI Rancho Cucamonga is a small private for-profit school situated in Rancho Cucamonga, California. It awarded 469 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. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,760 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Saddleback College full time pay an average of $1,334 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,814. On average, associate degree students take out $8,010 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Saddleback College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pasadena City College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Pasadena, California, the large public school awarded 5,304 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Pasadena City College full time pay an average of $1,172 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
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 handed out 2,158 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SWC Chula Vista is $1,342. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,490. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
SWC Chula Vista does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Unitek College is located in Fremont, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 333 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,249 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Unitek 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 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, CBD College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Community Based Education and Development is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and 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. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Community Based Education and Development does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #15, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Walnut, California, the large public school handed out 3,780 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. 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.
Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,335 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 3% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Santa Ana College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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.
Students from California who attend SAC full time pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees. 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SAC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,210 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,310. Associate Degree recipients from SRJC accumulate an average of $15,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at SRJC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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 medium-sized public school located in San Bruno, California that handed out 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,508. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Skyline College 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.
With a ranking of #20, Cypress College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,986. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Cypress College, 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, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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 awarded 445 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Antelope Valley College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. Located in Lancaster, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,172 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Antelope Valley College full time pay an average of $1,124 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Antelope Valley College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Orange Coast College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California ranking. 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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Orange Coast College is $1,202. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,762. On average, associate degree students take out $10,569 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Orange Coast College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cerritos College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in California list. 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,324. Associate Degree recipients from Cerritos College accumulate an average of $13,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Cerritos College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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 awarded 175 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from American Career College - Anaheim accumulate an average of $23,909 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
American Career College - Anaheim 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 2020-2021 about 8% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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