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2023 Most Popular 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 Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 686 schools in the Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Ivy Tech Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students in the Great Lakes Region . Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31,118 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,090 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Ivy Tech Community College graduates make an average of $35,780 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend . The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend DeVry University - Illinois. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 9,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $39,266 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 $138 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Fox Valley Technical College is a great place for trade school students. FVTC is a fairly large public school situated in Appleton, Wisconsin. It awarded 3,648 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,430 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,943 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
The programs at Columbus State Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region . This large public school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 4,820 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Columbus State accumulate an average of $12,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Sinclair Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 10,362 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,437 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NWTC is a fairly large public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 3,012 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NWTC accumulate an average of $13,554 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NWTC graduates make an average of $36,536 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
With a ranking of #8, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. MATC is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,697 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from MATC accumulate an average of $15,137 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MATC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,516 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 3,280 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,784 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Madison College graduates make an average of $40,202 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #10, College of Lake County did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,149 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,385 in student loans. During the early years of their career, College of Lake County graduates make an average of $53,083 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,576 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,817 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,325 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Wausau, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,240 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,901 in student loans.After graduating from North Central Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,732 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Gateway Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 2,683 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,742 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gateway Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,772 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #14, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. WCTC is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,019 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,038 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,058 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. MTI - Springfield, Illinois is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,210 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,868 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $72, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MTI - Springfield, Illinois graduates make an average of $24,872 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
William Rainey Harper College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 4,419 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $12,072 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Stark State College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,079 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Stark State College accumulate an average of $15,422 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Stark State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,701 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 5,228 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,220 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MVCC graduates make an average of $35,287 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,552 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Moraine Park Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,031 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #20, Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This fairly large public school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 3,514 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District accumulate an average of $10,632 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Cuyahoga Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,886 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SWIC is located in Belleville, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,480 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from SWIC accumulate an average of $7,100 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SWIC graduates make an average of $36,934 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
With a ranking of #22, College of DuPage did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. COD is a public institution located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from COD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,970 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical 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. WITC is a public institution located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,764 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WITC accumulate an average of $9,791 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WITC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,898 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Northwestern Ohio 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. University of Northwestern Ohio is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lima, Ohio. It awarded 1,316 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,199 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $325 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Northwestern Ohio graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,838 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
With a ranking of #25, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,666 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,739 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Malcolm X College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,354 during the early years of their career. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
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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