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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.
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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 handed out 2,114 degrees 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. Once they receive their degree, Unitek College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,641 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 88% 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 handed out 1,423 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $178, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,087 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Sierra College is a great place for trade school students. Sierra College is located in Rocklin, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,995 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,540 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
The programs at Advanced Career Institute helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in California. Located in Visalia, California, the very small private for-profit school awarded 1,671 diplomas to qualifed students 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. 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.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Carrington College, Sacramento is a great place for trade school students. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,150 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Carrington College, Sacramento accumulate an average of $17,149 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 $134 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
American Career College - Los Angeles landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,345 in student loans. 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 private for-profit institution located in Emeryville, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 838 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from National Holistic Institute accumulate an average of $9,361 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $75, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.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.
Summit College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Summit College is a small private for-profit school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 860 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $85 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 27% were women.
Institute of Technology came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. Located in Clovis, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 954 diplomas to qualifed students 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.After graduating from Fresno Institute of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $26,461 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Victor Valley College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. Victor Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Victorville, California. It awarded 4,997 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Victor Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,632 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Contra Costa Medical Career College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Antioch, California, the very small private for-profit school handed out 948 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Contra Costa Medical Career College accumulate an average of $7,275 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
With a ranking of #12, American Career College - Ontario did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. American Career College - Ontario is a small private for-profit school situated in Ontario, California. It awarded 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.After graduating from American Career College - Ontario, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,941 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Fresno City College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in California ranking. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 63% 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. Located in Visalia, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,226 diplomas to qualifed students 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. Once they receive their degree, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,446 during the early year of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
American Career College - Anaheim landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. American Career College - Anaheim is a small private for-profit school located in Anaheim, California that handed out 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $151, assuming you 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 ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. Located in Bakersfield, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 819 diplomas to qualifed students 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. 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 UEI College-Bakersfield, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,886 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Cuesta College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 4,702 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,988 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Cuesta College graduates make an average of $48,355 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Butte College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,241 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,921 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Butte College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,786 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Huntington Park, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 768 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,819 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $98.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. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the fairly large public school awarded 5,856 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,618 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SRJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,295 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. This large private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 9,522 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $34,390 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UAGC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,029 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
UEI College-Gardena ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. Gardena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 830 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,743 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $95, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UEI College-Gardena graduates make an average of $24,337 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Santa Ana College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in California list. Located in Santa Ana, California, the large public school awarded 5,616 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,002 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SAC graduates make an average of $41,118 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Antelope Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Lancaster, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,742 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Antelope Valley College accumulate an average of $15,408 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Antelope Valley College graduates make an average of $42,833 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
National University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in San Diego, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 6,315 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $33,607 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National University graduates make an average of $58,580 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% 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 | Downey Adult School | Downey, CA |
| 59 | Southwestern College | Chula Vista, 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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