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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 1,204 schools in the Southeast 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 Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater to be the most popular school for trade school students in the Southeast Region . Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7,575 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMA Clearwater accumulate an average of $13,507 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMA Clearwater graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $21,883 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
Out of the 1,204 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bluegrass Community and Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bluegrass Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,138 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 $124 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,280 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
The programs at Jefferson Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southeast Region . Jefferson Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 4,096 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Jefferson Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $14,442 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $38,170 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Central Georgia Technical College is a great place for trade school students. Central Georgia Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Warner Robins, Georgia that handed out 4,744 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CGTC accumulate an average of $9,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CGTC graduates make an average of $28,707 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means ECPI University is a great place for trade school students. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $23,661 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 $151 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ECPI University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,263 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #6, Georgia Northwestern Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution located in Rome, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3,233 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College accumulate an average of $7,523 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Georgia Northwestern Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,809 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that handed out 5,706 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of $44,751 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 $201. Once they receive their degree, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,413 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Wake Technical Community 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. This large public school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,935 in student loans.After graduating from Wake Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,991 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide 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. Daytona Beach, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,705 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Embry-Riddle Worldwide accumulate an average of $30,712 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 $817 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Embry-Riddle Worldwide, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,116 during the early years of their career. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Hinds Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Hinds Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Raymond, Mississippi that handed out 4,168 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hinds Community College accumulate an average of $12,551 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Hinds Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,701 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington is a private for-profit institution located in Covington, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,847 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,238 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $88 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,388 during the early years of their career. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Marietta, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 4,752 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Chattahoochee Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,868 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Gateway Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Florence, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,188 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gateway accumulate an average of $12,919 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Gateway graduates make an average of $38,770 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,257 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,539 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,037 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Maysville Community and Technical College 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. Maysville, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,815 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Maysville Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,094 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Maysville Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,391 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Somerset Community 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. Somerset Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Somerset, Kentucky that handed out 2,625 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SCC accumulate an average of $14,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,815 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Paducah, Kentucky that handed out 2,586 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from West Kentucky Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $11,008 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $29,988 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Perkinston, Mississippi, and it awarded 3,406 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College accumulate an average of $12,629 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,307 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. SKYCTC is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2,374 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SKYCTC accumulate an average of $13,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SKYCTC graduates make an average of $32,998 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
Read full report on Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #20, South Florida Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Miami, Florida, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,315 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,709 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, South Florida Institute of Technology graduates make an average of $25,123 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This small public school is located in Valdosta, Georgia, and it awarded 2,017 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College graduates make an average of $29,345 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Waco, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,496 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College accumulate an average of $14,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from West Georgia Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,215 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
With a ranking of #23, Savannah Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Savannah Technical College is a small public school located in Savannah, Georgia that handed out 2,418 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Savannah Tech graduates make an average of $31,136 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Columbia Southern University 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. Orange Beach, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 5,998 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of $25,142 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Columbia Southern University graduates make an average of $55,041 annually. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Ashland Community and Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Ashland, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 2,263 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ACTC accumulate an average of $12,375 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ACTC graduates make an average of $34,541 annually. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast 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:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast 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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