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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 . This fairly large public school is located in Waco, Texas, 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.
TSTC 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 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 awarded 5,788 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,614 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at San Jacinto College. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,426 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CNM is $1,858. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Online courses are available at CNM, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Sonoran Desert Institute. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 816 students in 2021-2022.
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. Associate Degree recipients from Sonoran Desert Institute accumulate an average of $15,168 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwest University at El Paso. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in El Paso, Texas, the small private for-profit school awarded 549 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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.
With a ranking of #6, Universal Technical Institute - Avondale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Avondale, Arizona, the small private for-profit school handed out 828 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,335 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Lone Star College System landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, the large public school handed out 8,774 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,735 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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 public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and 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. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Houston Community College. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTI Dallas is a private for-profit institution located in Irving, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,937 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
El Centro College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school awarded 7,626 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $15,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% 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. 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.
With a ranking of #11, Del Mar College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,324 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,880 in tuition and fees if they attend DMC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,990. On average, associate degree students take out $6,385 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 DMC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Austin Community College District 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. This large public school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 4,621 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Austin Community College District full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Austin Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
St Philip’s College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. St Philip’s College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,742 in tuition and fees if they attend St Philip’s College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,272. On average, associate degree students take out $15,615 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at St Philip’s College. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Pima Medical Institute - Tucson did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pima Medical Institute - Tucson is a small private for-profit school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 567 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from PMI Tucson accumulate an average of $23,034 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. OSU Institute of Technology is located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 567 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OSU Institute of Technology is $5,774. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,384. On average, associate degree students take out $12,809 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at OSU Institute of Technology. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Western Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small private for-profit school is located in El Paso, Texas, 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 landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Tyler Junior College is located in Tyler, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,723 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tyler Junior College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,440. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,813 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tarrant County College District 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. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 5,819 students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tarrant County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, South Texas College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This large public school is located in McAllen, Texas, and it awarded 3,702 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
South Texas 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.
Pima Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,807 students 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 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, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lamar Institute of Technology landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Beaumont, Texas, and it awarded 586 associate degrees 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. On average, associate degree students take out $13,457 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lamar Institute of Technology. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lee College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Baytown, Texas, and it awarded 1,267 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,882 in tuition and fees if they attend Lee College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,302. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,113 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lee College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. CHCP - Northwest is located in Houston, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 308 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,333 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
CHCP - Northwest 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 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest
San Juan College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. SJC is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmington, New Mexico. It awarded 595 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SJC is $1,714. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,882. Associate Degree recipients from SJC accumulate an average of $13,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able 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.
With a ranking of #25, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 211 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,342 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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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