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.
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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.
Students from Nebraska who attend Southeast Community College full time pay an average of $3,276 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southeast Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 38% 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, State Technical College of Missouri landed the # 2 spot on the list. Linn, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 615 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend STC full time pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,320. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,706 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.
STC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Catherine University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 245 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at St. Kate’s is $37,494. 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 St. Kate’s accumulate an average of $20,415 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at St. Kate’s. During the 2020-2021 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Ranken Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Ranken Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 403 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,960 to cover tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $12,617 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 6% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hennepin Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 533 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Hennepin Technical College is $5,881. 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 $17,370 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ozarks Technical 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 #6 on the list. Ozarks Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 1,490 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OTC is $5,216. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,368. On average, associate degree students take out $16,228 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at OTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 1,628 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kirkwood Community College is $5,700. 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 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. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 514 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,718 to cover tuition and fees at LATI. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $13,775 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
Online courses are available at LATI, 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 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Metropolitan 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 #9 on the list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large public school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 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. On average, associate degree students take out $9,497 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at MCC, 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 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,899 students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bismarck State College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bismarck State College is a small public school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 759 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they attend BSC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Depending on your major, you 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 ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Central Community College is located in Grand Island, Nebraska and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 698 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Nebraska who attend Central Community College full time pay an average of $3,300 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Online courses are available at Central 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 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southeast Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 522 students in 2021-2022.
Southeast Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,650. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. 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.
One thing to take note of is that Southeast Tech does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
North Dakota State College of Science ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 501 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Dakota State College of Science. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,879. Associate Degree recipients from North Dakota State College of Science accumulate an average of $13,866 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Online courses are available at North Dakota State College of Science, 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 29% took at least some of their classes online.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school handed out 2,010 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,641 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DMACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bridgeton, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,981 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend Saint Louis Community College full time pay an average of $5,130 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,990. On average, associate degree students take out $9,816 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
St Cloud Technical and Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 735 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,075 to cover tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of $15,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online 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 a medium-sized public school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 1,188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Century College, expect to pay an average of $6,105 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,410 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Century College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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.
Mitchell Tech 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.
Dunwoody College of Technology landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 316 associate degree awards 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,809 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.
Online courses are available at Dunwoody College of Technology, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Northeast Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Norfolk, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 683 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Nebraska pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northeast. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,130. Associate Degree recipients from Northeast accumulate an average of $11,841 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northeast. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Grantham University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. LIttle Rock, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 469 students 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.
Grantham University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each 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. Located in Rosemount, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 420 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
DCTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,419. This amount may be reduced 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.
Minnesota State Community and 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 #24 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 727 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
M State does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,900. 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 $16,782 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
M State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
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.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $5,715 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WSU Tech. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSU Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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