2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. 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.
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 Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 198 schools in the Southwest 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.
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Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Texas State Technical College to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southwest Region . TSTC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,443 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,554 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
One thing to take note of is that TSTC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jacinto Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Pasadena, Texas, the large public school handed out 5,788 associate degree awards 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. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
San Jacinto College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 198 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. CNM is a fairly large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 3,426 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Mexico pay an average of $1,858 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CNM. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,978. On average, associate degree students take out $9,753 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CNM. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sonoran Desert Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. 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.
Sonoran Desert Institute does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $11,960. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,168 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Sonoran Desert Institute is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
The excellent associate degree programs at Southwest University at El Paso helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southwest Region . Located in El Paso, Texas, the small private for-profit school handed out 549 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Southwest University at El Paso does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,000. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Southwest University at El Paso accumulate an average of $24,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Southwest University at El Paso is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Universal Technical Institute - Avondale came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region 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.
Lone Star College System ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 8,774 associate degrees 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #8, Houston Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Houston Community College is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 5,387 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Houston Community College is $4,344. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,460. On average, associate degree students take out $19,178 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Online courses are available at Houston Community 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, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Universal Technical Institute - Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in Irving, Texas that handed out 611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,937 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 5% were women.
El Centro College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,059 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
El Centro 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 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Del Mar College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. DMC is located in Corpus Christi, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,324 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DMC is $4,880. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,990. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,385 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 DMC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Austin Community College District came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Austin Community College District is located in Austin, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,621 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Austin Community College District. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,590. On average, associate degree students take out $13,045 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Austin Community College District. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
St Philip’s College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. St Philip’s College is located in San Antonio, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,256 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at St Philip’s College is $6,742. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,272. Associate Degree recipients from St Philip’s College accumulate an average of $15,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since St Philip’s College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pima Medical Institute - Tucson came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. PMI Tucson is a small private for-profit school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 567 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,034 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Online courses are available at PMI Tucson, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology 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 #15 on the list. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a small public school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 567 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,774 in tuition and fees if they attend OSU Institute of Technology full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,384. Associate Degree recipients from OSU Institute of Technology accumulate an average of $12,809 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since OSU Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Full Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Report
Western Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Western Technical College is a private for-profit institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 258 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $20,434 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
Tyler 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 #17 on the list. Tyler, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,723 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees if they attend Tyler Junior College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,440. On average, associate degree students take out $13,813 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Tarrant County College District ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tarrant County College is a public institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,819 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,880 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tarrant County College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
South Texas College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school handed out 3,702 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
South Texas 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Pima Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 1,807 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pima County Community College District is $2,298. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,614. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,213 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Pima County Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Lamar Institute of Technology 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. Located in Beaumont, Texas, the small public school handed out 586 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Lamar Institute of Technology full time pay an average of $2,844 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,636. Associate Degree recipients from Lamar Institute of Technology accumulate an average of $13,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lamar Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Lee College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,267 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lee College is $3,882. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,302. Associate Degree recipients from Lee College accumulate an average of $10,113 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lee College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #23, The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Houston, Texas, the small private for-profit school handed out 308 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,333 in student loans. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
CHCP - Northwest does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest
With a ranking of #24, San Juan College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. SJC is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmington, New Mexico. It awarded 595 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from New Mexico who attend SJC full time pay an average of $1,714 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,882. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,626 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Escoffier - Austin is located in Austin, Texas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 211 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,342 in student loans. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 30 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | Tulsa, OK |
| 32 | Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 33 | Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 33 | Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service | Houston, TX |
| 35 | Collin County Community College District | McKinney, TX |
| 36 | Alvin Community College | Alvin, TX |
| 37 | McLennan Community College | Waco, TX |
| 38 | Paris Junior College | Paris, TX |
| 39 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana | Las Cruces, NM |
| 40 | Pima Medical Institute - Houston | Houston, TX |
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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