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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater the most popular school in the Southeast Region for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7,575 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,507 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UMA Clearwater graduates make an average of $21,883 annually. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a great place for trade school students. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,138 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $124.After graduating from Bluegrass Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,280 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Jefferson Community and Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Jefferson Community and Technical College is located in Louisville, Kentucky and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,096 degrees to qualified students.
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. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, the medium-sized public school awarded 4,744 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CGTC accumulate an average of $9,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CGTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $28,707 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend ECPI University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $151, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. 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. Located in Rome, Georgia, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,233 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,523 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Georgia Northwestern Technical College graduates make an average of $34,809 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 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. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $201 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale graduates make an average of $40,413 annually. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Wake Technical Community College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,278 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $17,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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 came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,705 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $30,712 in loans while pursuing 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. Once they receive their degree, Embry-Riddle Worldwide graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,116 during the early year of their career. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Hinds Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Raymond, Mississippi is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,168 students 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. Once they receive their degree, Hinds Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,701 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington 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. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,238 in student loans. 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. During the early years of their career, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington graduates make an average of $19,388 annually. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington
With a ranking of #12, Chattahoochee Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Chattahoochee Technical College is a public institution located in Marietta, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4,752 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Chattahoochee Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,868 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Gateway 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 #13 on the list. This small public school is located in Florence, Kentucky, and it awarded 3,188 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,919 in loans while pursuing 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 came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Elizabethtown, Kentucky is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,257 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,539 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,037 annually. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 2,815 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,094 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Maysville Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $30,391 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Somerset Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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. Once they receive their degree, SCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,815 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, West Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Paducah, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,586 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,008 in student loans. 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 ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston, Mississippi and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,406 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $12,629 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates make an average of $27,307 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Bowling Green, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,374 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SKYCTC accumulate an average of $13,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SKYCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,998 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
Full Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Report
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. This small private for-profit school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 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.
With a ranking of #21, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution located in Valdosta, Georgia. The school has a small population, 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. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Waco, Georgia, and it awarded 2,496 degrees 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. During the early years of their career, West Georgia Technical College graduates make an average of $33,215 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Savannah Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Savannah, Georgia, the small public school awarded 2,418 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Savannah Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,136 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbia Southern University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 5,998 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,142 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Columbia Southern University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,041 during the early year of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Ashland Community and Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small public school is located in Ashland, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,263 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,375 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ACTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,541 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 43% 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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