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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
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 Ohio ranking. Our analysis looked at 221 schools in Ohio 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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Columbus State Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students in Ohio. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school awarded 4,820 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sinclair Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 10,362 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,437 in student loans.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. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Stark State College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio 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.
On average, students take out $15,422 in loans while pursuing 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.
The programs at Cuyahoga Community College District helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 3,514 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,632 in loans while pursuing 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northwestern Ohio. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio 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. 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.
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16,872 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,977 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $320. Once they receive their degree, Ohio State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,871 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 1,885 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,909 in student loans.After graduating from Cincinnati State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,987 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Hondros College of Nursing came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Westerville, Ohio, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,076 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hondros College of Nursing accumulate an average of $24,184 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 $131 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Hondros College of Nursing, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,993 during the early years of their career. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.
Butler Tech - D Russel Lee Career Center came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. This very small public school is located in Monroe, Ohio, and it awarded 652 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from D Russel Lee Career Center accumulate an average of $6,536 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from D Russel Lee Career Center, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,710 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Apollo Career Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Apollo Career Center is a very small public school located in Lima, Ohio that handed out 532 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Apollo JVS accumulate an average of $7,699 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Apollo JVS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,025 during the early years of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #11, Owens Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Perrysburg, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,260 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,615 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Owens State Community College graduates make an average of $36,221 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Lorain County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Elyria, Ohio, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,407 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from LCCC accumulate an average of $16,763 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, LCCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,783 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the large public school awarded 12,161 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,704 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $330.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,016 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Ross College-Sylvania landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Ross College-Sylvania is located in Sylvania, Ohio and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 575 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Ross College-Sylvania accumulate an average of $9,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ross College-Sylvania graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $25,099 during the early year of their career. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. HIWT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Troy, Ohio. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 306 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,439 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $178. Once they receive their degree, HIWT graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,691 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 8% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Edison State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Edison State Community College is a small public school located in Piqua, Ohio that handed out 722 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Edison Community College accumulate an average of $16,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Edison Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,065 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
University of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio list. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,979 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $31,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304.After graduating from University of Akron Main Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,222 during the early years of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Dayton School of Medical Massage came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Dayton School of Medical Massage is a private for-profit institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 289 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Dayton School of Medical Massage accumulate an average of $11,810 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $68, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Dayton School of Medical Massage graduates make an average of $21,250 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Fortis College - Columbus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Fortis College - Columbus is a very small private for-profit school situated in Westerville, Ohio. It awarded 280 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Fortis College - Columbus accumulate an average of $18,680 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 $93 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fortis College - Columbus graduates make an average of $38,306 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Shawnee State University 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. Shawnee State University is a small public school located in Portsmouth, Ohio that handed out 633 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,561 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Shawnee State University graduates make an average of $35,765 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati is a very small private for-profit school located in West Chester, Ohio that handed out 279 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,479 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $129 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Aveda Fredric’s Institute - Cincinnati graduates make an average of $21,232 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. COTC is a small public school situated in Newark, Ohio. It awarded 593 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,255 in student loans.After graduating from COTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,125 during the early years of their career. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio list. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,599 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,201 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $422, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, OHIO Athens graduates make an average of $45,584 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. James A Rhodes State College is a small public school located in Lima, Ohio that handed out 447 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Rhodes State College accumulate an average of $13,752 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Rhodes State College graduates make an average of $38,621 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance is a private for-profit institution located in Alliance, Ohio. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 277 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,300 in student loans.After graduating from Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Alliance, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $15,958 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in Ohio
Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Fortis College - Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH |
| 37 | Polaris Career Center | Middleburg Heights, OH |
| 38 | Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH |
| 39 | Belmont College | St Clairsville, OH |
| 40 | Warren County Career Center | Lebanon, OH |
| 41 | Hamrick School | Medina, OH |
| 42 | Washington State Community College | Marietta, OH |
| 43 | Aveda Institute - Columbus | Columbus, OH |
| 44 | Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, North Dayton | Dayton, OH |
| 44 | Stautzenberger College - Maumee | Maumee, OH |
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.