Find Trade Colleges
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.
Featured schools near , edit
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. Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Clearwater, Florida that handed out 6,241 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,203 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at UMA Clearwater, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Ivy Tech Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the United States. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 8,655 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees if they attend Ivy Tech Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,835 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the United States. Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 3,134 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is $23,248. 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 $22,865 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Waco, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 1,443 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $13,554 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
TSTC 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 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means ECPI University is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. ECPI University is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and 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.
Online courses are available at ECPI University, 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 47% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, South College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. South College is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
South College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $17,335. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $18,902 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South College. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Northwestern Ohio 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. University of Northwestern Ohio is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lima, Ohio. It awarded 996 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at University of Northwestern Ohio is $11,867. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,602 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 9% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at University of Northwestern Ohio. During the 2020-2021 year, about 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
National University 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. National University College is located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,157 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at National University College is $7,158. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,870. On average, associate degree students take out $13,487 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that National University College does offer online classes in some areas. 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 came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. San Jacinto Community College is a large public school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 5,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from San Jacinto College accumulate an average of $12,614 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since San Jacinto College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston, Mississippi and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,144 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Mississippi pay an average of $3,950 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
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. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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.
Students from New Mexico who attend CNM full time pay an average of $1,858 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,978. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,753 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able 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 came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. The Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, New York and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 564 associate degrees to qualified students.
The Culinary Institute of America does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $36,620. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from The Culinary Institute of America accumulate an average of $12,958 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% 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 fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Sonoran Desert Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Sonoran Desert Institute is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 816 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend Sonoran Desert Institute, expect to pay an average of $11,960 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,168 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients 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 ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. CGTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Warner Robins, Georgia. It awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees if they attend CGTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,482. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,341 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CGTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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 small private for-profit school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 549 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,000 to cover tuition and fees at Southwest University at El Paso. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $24,700 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Southwest University at El Paso. Every 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. UTI Avondale is located in Avondale, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 828 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,335 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Sierra College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Rocklin, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,257 students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Sierra College full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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.
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.
Miami Dade College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, the large public school awarded 10,398 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend MDC full time pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,661. On average, associate degree students take out $13,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MDC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
New York City College of Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. Located in Brooklyn, New York, the fairly large public school awarded 1,252 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at City Tech is $7,320. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,270. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,175 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
One thing to take note of is that City Tech does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide 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 #20 on the list. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 598 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
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. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Lone Star College System came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools ranking. 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.
Associate Degree recipients from North Harris Montgomery accumulate an average of $11,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Harris Montgomery does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Houston Community College is located in Houston, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,387 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Texas who attend Houston Community College full time pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Houston Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. 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.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $17,940 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Penn College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,680. On average, associate degree students take out $20,551 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Penn College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Weber State University 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 #24 on the list. Ogden, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,110 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $6,391 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WSU. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,084. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,082 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
WSU 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 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools list. Wake Technical Community College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,898 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wake Technical Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,912. On average, associate degree students take out $19,897 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wake Technical Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.