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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. 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 Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 623 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Unitek College the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for trade school students working on their degree. Unitek College is a private for-profit institution located in Fremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2,114 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,845 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Unitek College graduates make an average of $49,641 annually. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Far Western US Region . Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution located in San Mateo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,423 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,681 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $178 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,087 during the early years of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Olympic College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This small public school is located in Bremerton, Washington, and it awarded 2,461 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,155 in student loans. During the early years of their career, OC graduates make an average of $50,431 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Career College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,472 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Northwest Career College accumulate an average of $8,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $50, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northwest Career College graduates make an average of $23,983 annually. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clover Park Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Clover Park Technical College is a small public school located in Lakewood, Washington that handed out 1,633 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CPTC accumulate an average of $12,183 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CPTC graduates make an average of $41,883 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
Charter College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Charter College is a small private for-profit school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 1,305 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $20,604 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Charter College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,122 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Truckee Meadows Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Truckee Meadows Community College is located in Reno, Nevada and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,717 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,535 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Truckee Meadows Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,454 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Sierra College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Rocklin, California, and it awarded 4,995 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $17,540 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #8, Spokane Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 1,969 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,036 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Spokane Community College graduates make an average of $37,399 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Advanced Career Institute came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Advanced Career Institute is a very small private for-profit school located in Visalia, California that handed out 1,671 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $6,241 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $39 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Advanced Career Institute graduates make an average of $30,938 annually. Around 11% of those degree recipients were women.
College of Southern Nevada did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #11 on the list. CSN is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,307 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CSN accumulate an average of $11,507 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CSN graduates make an average of $34,877 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 1,150 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,149 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $134. During the early years of their career, Carrington College, Sacramento graduates make an average of $39,519 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
With a ranking of #13, American Career College - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. American Career College - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 987 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,345 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $139, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, American Career College - Los Angeles graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,752 during the early year of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
National Holistic Institute ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. National Holistic Institute is located in Emeryville, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 838 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,361 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $75. During the early years of their career, National Holistic Institute graduates make an average of $22,470 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Summit College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 860 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $85, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Summit College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,576 during the early years of their career. Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.
Victor Valley College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Victor Valley College is located in Victorville, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,997 degrees to qualified students.
During the early years of their career, Victor Valley College graduates make an average of $35,632 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Institute of Technology ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Fresno Institute of Technology is a private for-profit institution located in Clovis, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 954 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Fresno Institute of Technology accumulate an average of $10,356 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $68 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Fresno Institute of Technology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,461 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Contra Costa Medical Career College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Antioch, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 948 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,275 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 835 degrees to qualified students.
Once they receive their degree, Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,075 during the early year of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
American Career College - Ontario landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Ontario, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 734 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,739 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, American Career College - Ontario graduates make an average of $29,941 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Fresno City College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,885 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $4,603 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Fresno City College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,728 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a small private for-profit school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 1,226 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,460 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $132.After graduating from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,446 during the early years of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
Portland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Portland, Oregon, the fairly large public school awarded 4,737 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,461 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Portland Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,075 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
American Career College - Anaheim did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. American Career College - Anaheim is a small private for-profit school situated in Anaheim, California. It awarded 728 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,639 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $151 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, American Career College - Anaheim graduates make an average of $35,891 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
UEI College-Bakersfield came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 819 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,988 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $98. Once they receive their degree, UEI College-Bakersfield graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,886 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
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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