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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This report analyzed 476 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs 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 the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater the most popular school in the Southeast Region for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 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.
One thing to take note of is that UMA Clearwater does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 476 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,134 associate degree awards 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. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Online courses are available at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, 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 48% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend ECPI University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. 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.
The average tuition and fees at ECPI University is $18,484. 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 $20,059 in student loans. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECPI University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend South College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. South College is a private for-profit institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,335 to cover tuition and fees at South College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $18,902 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at South 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 80% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Perkinston, Mississippi is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,144 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Mississippi who attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College full time pay an average of $3,950 in tuition and fees. 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Warner Robins, Georgia, and it awarded 1,042 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend CGTC full time pay an average of $3,082 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at CGTC, 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 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #7, Miami Dade College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. MDC is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 10,398 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,838 in tuition and fees if they attend MDC full time. 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 $13,654 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients 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. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and it awarded 598 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $11,185 to cover tuition and fees at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,221 in student loans. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you 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.
Full Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Report
With a ranking of #9, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 2,898 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they attend Wake Technical Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,897 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. FTCC is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,676 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from North Carolina who attend FTCC full time pay an average of $2,564 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,708. Associate Degree recipients from FTCC accumulate an average of $16,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at FTCC. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. FSCJ is a large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 3,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Florida who attend FSCJ full time pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,631. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,098 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FSCJ. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Greenville Technical 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 #12 on the list. GTC is a fairly large public school situated in Greenville, South Carolina. It awarded 1,217 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,882 in tuition and fees if they attend GTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,202. Associate Degree recipients from GTC accumulate an average of $19,101 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at GTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Broward College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large public school handed out 6,046 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,830 in tuition and fees if they attend BC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,952. On average, associate degree students take out $9,156 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
BC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia Southern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Columbia Southern University, expect to pay an average of $6,015 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,106 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.
Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 2,459 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Piedmont Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,936. Associate Degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College accumulate an average of $6,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Hanceville, Alabama, and it awarded 911 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Alabama pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wallace State, Hanceville. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,670. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,315 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wallace State, Hanceville. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
With a ranking of #17, Guilford Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Jamestown, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,431 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Guilford Technical Community College is $2,319. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,695. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,790 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Guilford Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 1,618 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Kentucky who attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,640 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,560. Associate Degree recipients from Bluegrass Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $16,199 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Universal Technical Institute - Orlando 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. UTI Orlando is located in Orlando, Florida and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 511 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,424 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.
Pitt Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Pitt Community College is located in Winterville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,062 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees if they attend Pitt Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,548. Associate Degree recipients from Pitt Community College accumulate an average of $19,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Online courses are available at Pitt 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Columbus Technical 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 #21 on the list. Columbus Technical College is a small public school situated in Columbus, Georgia. It awarded 481 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Georgia who attend Columbus Technical College full time pay an average of $3,042 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,442. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbus Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Tidewater Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Tidewater Community College is located in Norfolk, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,216 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tidewater Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,564. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,855 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Tidewater 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 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, Pearl River Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pearl River Community College is a public institution located in Poplarville, Mississippi. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,043 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Mississippi pay an average of $3,500 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pearl River Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,500. On average, associate degree students take out $11,095 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pearl River Community College. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Northern Virginia Community 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 #24 on the list. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school awarded 5,692 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northern Virginia Community College is $5,565. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. On average, associate degree students take out $15,263 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hinds Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Raymond, Mississippi, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,270 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Mississippi pay an average of $3,750 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hinds Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,800. On average, associate degree students take out $15,350 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 Hinds Community College. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
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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