Find Trade Colleges
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.
Featured schools near , edit
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 located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 31,118 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,090 in student loans. 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.
The programs at helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Great Lakes Region .
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means DeVry University - Illinois is a great place for trade school students. Located in Naperville, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 9,399 diplomas to qualifed students 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $138, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DeVry University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,020 during the early years of their career. 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 . Fox Valley Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 3,648 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from FVTC accumulate an average of $10,430 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, FVTC graduates make an average of $36,943 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Columbus State Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Columbus State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, 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.
With a ranking of #6, Sinclair Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 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. Once they receive their degree, Sinclair Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,938 during the early year of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,012 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,554 in student loans.After graduating from NWTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,536 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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. Once they receive their degree, MATC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,516 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% 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. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,280 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,784 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Madison College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,202 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
College of Lake County landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 4,149 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $10,385 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Chippewa Valley Technical College 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. CVTC is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,576 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,817 in student loans.After graduating from CVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,325 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Wausau, Wisconsin, and it awarded 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.
Gateway Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,683 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gateway Technical College accumulate an average of $13,742 in student debt by the time they complete 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.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,019 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,038 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually. 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. MTI - Springfield, Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 1,210 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MTI - Springfield, Illinois accumulate an average of $8,868 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 $72. Once they receive their degree, MTI - Springfield, Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,872 during the early year of their career. 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. 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.
With a ranking of #17, Stark State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Stark State College is a public institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,079 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,422 in loans while pursuing 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. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,228 students 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. Around 43% of those degree recipients 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. Located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,552 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. 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.
Degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District accumulate an average of $10,632 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Cuyahoga Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,886 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,480 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,100 in student loans.After graduating from SWIC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,934 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
College of DuPage ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,759 in student loans. During the early years of their career, COD graduates make an average of $24,970 annually. 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 located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,764 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $9,791 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from WITC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,898 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Northwestern Ohio ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Northwestern Ohio is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lima, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,316 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,199 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $325, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from University of Northwestern Ohio, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,838 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 12% were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,666 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $8,739 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.