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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region
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. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 176 schools in the Plains States 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 Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Plains States Region . Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 1,022 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,276 in tuition and fees if they attend Southeast Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,864. Associate Degree recipients from Southeast Community College accumulate an average of $14,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Southeast Community 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 38% 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 State Technical College of Missouri. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. STC is a small public school situated in Linn, Missouri. It awarded 615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at STC is $7,440. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,706 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at STC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 176 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, St Catherine University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 245 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend St. Kate’s, expect to pay an average of $37,494 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,415 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
One thing to take note of is that St. Kate’s does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 176 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ranken Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 403 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Ranken Technical College, expect to pay an average of $16,960 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,617 in student loans. Around 6% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 176 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hennepin Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 533 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Hennepin Technical College, expect to pay an average of $5,881 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,370 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. OTC is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,490 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,216 in tuition and fees if they attend OTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,368. On average, associate degree students take out $16,228 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
OTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Kirkwood Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,628 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees if they attend Kirkwood Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,604. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,030 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kirkwood Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 514 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
LATI does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,718. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,775 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LATI. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Metropolitan Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 1,366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $3,285. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,815. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,497 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school handed out 1,899 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,682 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
Bismarck State 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 #11 on the list. This small public school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BSC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,227. On average, associate degree students take out $12,985 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BSC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 698 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Central Community College is $3,300. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,710. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,350 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Southeast Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small public school handed out 522 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,650 to cover tuition and fees at Southeast Tech. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $16,094 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southeast Tech. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State College of Science 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 #14 on the list. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school located in Wahpeton, North Dakota that handed out 501 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Dakota who attend North Dakota State College of Science full time pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,879. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,866 in student loans. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Dakota State College of Science does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,010 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from DMACC accumulate an average of $12,641 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
DMACC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a public institution located in Bridgeton, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,981 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend Saint Louis Community College full time pay an average of $5,130 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,990. Associate Degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College accumulate an average of $9,816 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Saint Louis Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
St Cloud Technical and 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 #17 on the list. This small public school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 735 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community College is $6,075. 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 $15,759 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that St Cloud Technical and Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
Century College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,188 associate degrees to qualified students.
Century College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,105. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Century College accumulate an average of $19,410 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Century College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mitchell Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Mitchell, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 303 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Mitchell Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,524. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $13,352 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mitchell Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Dunwoody College of Technology ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 316 students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Dunwoody College of Technology, expect to pay an average of $24,611 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Dunwoody College of Technology accumulate an average of $15,809 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.
Dunwoody College of Technology 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 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Northeast Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 683 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northeast is $3,840. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,130. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,841 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast 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, 39% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Grantham 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 #21 on the list. Located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 469 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Grantham University, expect to pay an average of $8,280 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,802 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Grantham University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
With a ranking of #23, Dakota County Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rosemount, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 420 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at DCTC is $6,419. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from DCTC accumulate an average of $13,504 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DCTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota that handed out 727 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at M State is $5,900. 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 $16,782 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at M State. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 315 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU Tech is $5,715. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,578. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,280 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WSU Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS |
| 29 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN |
| 30 | Lake Superior College | Duluth, MN |
| 31 | Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN |
| 32 | Western Dakota Technical Institute | Rapid City, SD |
| 33 | Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS |
| 34 | Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 35 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
| 36 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA |
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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