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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in California
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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 444 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular 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 Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Unitek College to be the most popular school for trade school students in California. Located in Fremont, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 2,114 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Unitek College accumulate an average of $12,845 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 $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Unitek College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,641 during the early years of their career. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. Located in San Mateo, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,423 diplomas to qualifed students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Out of the 444 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Sierra College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Rocklin, California, and it awarded 4,995 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,540 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 444 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Advanced Career Institute landed the # 4 spot on the list. Visalia, California is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,671 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,241 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $39, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Advanced Career Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,938 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 11% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Carrington College, Sacramento. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. This small private for-profit school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 1,150 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,149 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $134, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Carrington College, Sacramento, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,519 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
With a ranking of #6, American Career College - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Los Angeles, California, the small private for-profit school 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. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
With a ranking of #7, National Holistic Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. National Holistic Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Emeryville, California that handed out 838 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,361 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $75.After graduating from National Holistic Institute, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $22,470 during the early years of their career. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #8, Summit College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Summit College is a small private for-profit school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 860 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,016 in student loans. 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.
Institute of Technology ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. Located in Clovis, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $68. During the early years of their career, Fresno Institute of Technology graduates make an average of $26,461 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Victor Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Victorville, California, the fairly large public school awarded 4,997 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
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.
Contra Costa Medical Career College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Contra Costa Medical Career College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Antioch, California. It awarded 948 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,275 in student loans. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
American Career College - Ontario 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. Located in Ontario, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 734 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,739 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. Once they receive their degree, American Career College - Ontario graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,941 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Fresno City College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,885 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,603 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Fresno City College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,728 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a private for-profit institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,226 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia accumulate an average of $14,460 in student debt by the time they complete 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.
With a ranking of #15, American Career College - Anaheim did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This small private for-profit school is located in Anaheim, California, and it awarded 728 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from American Career College - Anaheim accumulate an average of $14,639 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $151. Once they receive their degree, American Career College - Anaheim graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,891 during the early year of their career. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
UEI College-Bakersfield ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. UEI College-Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 819 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UEI College-Bakersfield accumulate an average of $8,988 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $98. During the early years of their career, UEI College-Bakersfield graduates make an average of $19,886 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Cuesta College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 4,702 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Cuesta College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,355 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Butte 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. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,241 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,921 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Butte College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,786 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
With a ranking of #19, United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Huntington Park, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 768 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus accumulate an average of $8,819 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 $98 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,592 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,856 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $15,618 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SRJC graduates make an average of $63,295 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. UAGC is a private for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,522 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $34,390 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UAGC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,029 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
UEI College-Gardena landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. UEI College-Gardena is located in Gardena, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 830 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,743 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $95, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UEI College-Gardena graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,337 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Santa Ana College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Ana, California, the large public school awarded 5,616 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,002 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SAC graduates make an average of $41,118 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Antelope Valley College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Antelope Valley College is located in Lancaster, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,742 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $15,408 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Antelope Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,833 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
National University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. National University is located in San Diego, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,315 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $33,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $294. Once they receive their degree, National University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,580 during the early year of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in California
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | UEI College-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
| 52 | Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA |
| 53 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA |
| 54 | West Coast Ultrasound Institute | Los Angeles, CA |
| 55 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA |
| 56 | Concorde Career College - Garden Grove | Garden Grove, CA |
| 57 | City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 58 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA |
| 59 | Southwestern College | Chula Vista, CA |
| 59 | Downey Adult School | Downey, CA |
| 61 | United Education Institute-Anaheim | Garden Grove, CA |
| 62 | United Education Institute-UEI College Stockton | Stockton, CA |
| 63 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA |
| 64 | California State University - East Bay | Hayward, CA |
| 65 | San Jose City College | San Jose, CA |
| 66 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
| 67 | United Education Institute-UEI College San Marcos | Oceanside, CA |
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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