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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.After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,780 during the early years of their career. 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 private for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $39,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $138. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
The programs at Fox Valley Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,648 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,430 in student loans. During the early years of their career, FVTC graduates make an average of $36,943 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Columbus State Community College is a great place for trade school students. Columbus State is located in Columbus, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,820 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,197 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Sinclair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 10,362 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,437 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Sinclair Community College graduates make an average of $32,938 annually. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 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. Once they receive their degree, NWTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,536 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. MATC is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,697 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,137 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MATC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,516 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Madison Area Technical 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. 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.After graduating from Madison College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,202 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
College of Lake County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 4,149 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from College of Lake County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,083 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. CVTC is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,576 degrees 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. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Northcentral Technical College 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. Northcentral Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Wausau, Wisconsin that handed out 2,240 degrees 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. During the early years of their career, North Central Technical College graduates make an average of $33,732 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% 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 public institution located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,683 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,742 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,772 during the early year 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.
Degree recipients from WCTC accumulate an average of $15,038 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,058 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,210 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,868 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $72. 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.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
William Rainey Harper College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 4,419 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,072 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Harper College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,420 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Stark State College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Stark State College is a fairly large public school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 2,079 degrees 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.After graduating from Stark State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,701 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. MVCC is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,228 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $12,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,287 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,719 students 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.After graduating from Moraine Park Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,031 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,514 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,632 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,480 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,100 in loans while pursuing 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.
College of DuPage landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,944 students 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 landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 1,764 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,791 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WITC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,898 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
With a ranking of #24, University of Northwestern Ohio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. University of Northwestern Ohio is located in Lima, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,316 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $27,199 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $325. During the early years of their career, University of Northwestern Ohio graduates make an average of $38,838 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,666 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,739 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Malcolm X College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,354 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
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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