2023 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 225 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the large public school awarded 8,676 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $28,794. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $18,439 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Purdue does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 225 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the # 3 spot on the list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 11,957 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ohio State is $12,485. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $36,742. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,464 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Ohio State does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 2,016 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at SIUC is $15,416. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,422 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SIUC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,359 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend IUPUI full time pay an average of $10,144 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $32,582. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,363 in student loans. 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 IUPUI does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Western Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 3,833 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $14,623 in tuition and fees if they attend WMU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,254. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from WMU accumulate an average of $25,387 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WMU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree trade school programs. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,665 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $12,334 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $27,668. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,272 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.
Indiana State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,922 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees if they attend Indiana State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,160. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Indiana State accumulate an average of $22,012 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Indiana State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ferris State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 1,912 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,359 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Ferris 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Michigan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the large public school handed out 9,247 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Michigan State is $16,617. Out-of-state students pay an average of $42,607. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,426 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Michigan State. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,850 students in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,622 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OHIO Athens. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cleveland State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 2,464 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $12,254 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cleveland State University. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,469. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,630 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Cleveland State University does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 3,036 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $13,639 in tuition and fees if they attend BGSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,132. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,159 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that BGSU does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 34% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Southern Indiana came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. USI is a medium-sized public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 1,485 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at USI is $9,695. Out-of-state students pay an average of $21,740. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,342 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at USI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 3,098 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Eastern Michigan, expect to pay an average of $16,410 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,636 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Eastern Michigan. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Toledo landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree trade school programs. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,940 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Ohio who attend University of Toledo full time pay an average of $11,311 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,671. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,058 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at University of Toledo. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,250 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UIC is $15,472. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $30,841. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,464 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
UIC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Siena Heights University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Adrian, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 550 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,044 to cover tuition and fees at Siena Heights University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Siena Heights University accumulate an average of $18,973 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Siena Heights University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the large public school awarded 3,936 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UWM is $9,620. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,485. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,040 in student loans. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
UWM does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
DePaul University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. DePaul is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,047 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend DePaul, expect to pay an average of $43,100 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,664 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DePaul. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Wayne State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the large public school awarded 4,132 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $15,882 in tuition and fees if they attend Wayne State full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $34,199. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Wayne State, 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 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Hammond, Indiana, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,580 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend Purdue Northwest full time pay an average of $7,803 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,478. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue Northwest accumulate an average of $23,913 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue 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 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Akron, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 2,480 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at University of Akron Main Campus is $12,427. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,500. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,562 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Online courses are available at University of Akron Main Campus, 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, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,413 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,627 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at GVSU. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Dayton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 2,118 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UDayton accumulate an average of $21,743 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
UDayton does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 23% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 35 | University of Michigan - Flint | Flint, MI |
| 35 | Indiana University - South Bend | South Bend, IN |
| 38 | Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI |
| 39 | Baker College | Owosso, MI |
| 39 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH |
| 41 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville | Platteville, WI |
| 42 | Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI |
| 43 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
| 43 | University of St Francis | Joliet, IL |
| 45 | Indiana University - Northwest | Gary, IN |
| 46 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global | Marion, IN |
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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