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Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida

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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida

270 Schools Ranked
$39,796 Average Earnings
$30,162 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

The Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 270 schools in Florida 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.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

7,575 Total Awards
$21,883 Average Earnings
$13,507 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater to be the most popular school for trade school students in Florida. UMA Clearwater is a private not-for-profit institution located in Clearwater, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 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.After graduating from UMA Clearwater, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $21,883 during the early years of their career. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater Report

#2

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
5,706 Total Awards
$40,413 Average Earnings
$44,751 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 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. 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. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

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3,705 Total Awards
$65,116 Average Earnings
$30,712 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide is a great place for trade school students. Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,705 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,712 in student loans. 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. During the early years of their career, Embry-Riddle Worldwide graduates make an average of $65,116 annually. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.

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1,315 Total Awards
$25,123 Average Earnings
$7,709 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend South Florida Institute of Technology. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. This small private for-profit school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 1,315 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from South Florida Institute of Technology accumulate an average of $7,709 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from South Florida Institute of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,123 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.

Read full report on South Florida Institute of Technology

#5

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
13,441 Total Awards
$42,319 Average Earnings
$9,988 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Broward College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. BC is a public institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13,441 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,988 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BC graduates make an average of $42,319 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

Full Broward College Report

#6

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
20,166 Total Awards
$44,595 Average Earnings
$28,349 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Florida landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Orlando, Florida, the large public school awarded 20,166 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from UCF accumulate an average of $28,349 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 $221. Once they receive their degree, UCF graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,595 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on University of Central Florida

#7

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida
17,631 Total Awards
$37,350 Average Earnings
$15,450 Avg Student Debt

Valencia College 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. Valencia College is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 17,631 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,450 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $102. Once they receive their degree, Valencia College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,350 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Full Valencia College Report

#8

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida
7,124 Total Awards
$41,241 Average Earnings
$17,014 Avg Student Debt

Florida State College at Jacksonville came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida ranking. This large public school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 7,124 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $17,014 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from FSCJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,241 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Florida State College at Jacksonville

#9

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, Florida
5,792 Total Awards
$36,671 Average Earnings
$9,617 Avg Student Debt

Palm Beach State College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Palm Beach State College is located in Lake Worth, Florida and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,792 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Palm Beach State College accumulate an average of $9,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Palm Beach State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,671 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

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#10

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida
16,153 Total Awards
$37,255 Average Earnings
$14,646 Avg Student Debt

Miami Dade College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. Located in Miami, Florida, the large public school handed out 16,153 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $14,646 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MDC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,255 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

Read full report on Miami Dade College

5,853 Total Awards
$37,833 Average Earnings
$16,867 Avg Student Debt

Seminole State College of Florida came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Sanford, Florida, and it awarded 5,853 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $16,867 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Seminole State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,833 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Seminole State College of Florida Report

14,285 Total Awards
$45,747 Average Earnings
$30,630 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Tampa, Florida, the large public school handed out 14,285 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from USF Tampa accumulate an average of $30,630 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 $205 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USF Tampa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,747 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Report

7,304 Total Awards
$40,156 Average Earnings
$14,680 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Tampa, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 7,304 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,680 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $95 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from HCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,156 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Hillsborough Community College Report

1,273 Total Awards
$33,646 Average Earnings
$15,984 Avg Student Debt

Universal Technical Institute - Orlando ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. Located in Orlando, Florida, the very small private for-profit school awarded 1,273 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,984 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $192, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UTI Orlando graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,646 during the early year of their career. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Universal Technical Institute - Orlando Report

4,205 Total Awards
$41,940 Average Earnings
$22,566 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Florida landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Ocala, Florida, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 4,205 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $22,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168. Once they receive their degree, Rasmussen University - Florida graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,940 during the early year of their career. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Florida

#16

Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida
938 Total Awards
$32,926 Average Earnings
$8,015 Avg Student Debt

Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the very small private for-profit school awarded 938 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,015 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $185 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, TWS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,926 during the early year of their career. Around 10% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville

#17

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, Florida
4,247 Total Awards
$35,566 Average Earnings
$12,014 Avg Student Debt

Indian River State College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida ranking. Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,247 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Indian River State College accumulate an average of $12,014 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Indian River State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,566 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Read full report on Indian River State College

#18

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, Florida
3,322 Total Awards
$38,012 Average Earnings
$12,413 Avg Student Debt

Daytona State College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Florida ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and it awarded 3,322 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $12,413 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Daytona State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,012 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Daytona State College

#18

Sheridan Technical College

Hollywood, Florida
1,059 Total Awards
$23,311 Average Earnings

Sheridan Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Sheridan Technical College is a small public school located in Hollywood, Florida that handed out 1,059 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, Sheridan Technical College graduates make an average of $23,311 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Sheridan Technical College

#20

Southern Technical College

Orlando, Florida
1,239 Total Awards
$24,788 Average Earnings
$15,483 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Southern Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Southern Technical College is a private for-profit institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,239 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Southern Technical College accumulate an average of $15,483 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 $54 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Southern Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,788 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Read full report on Southern Technical College

#21

St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg, Florida
6,422 Total Awards
$40,600 Average Earnings
$21,985 Avg Student Debt

St Petersburg College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. SPC is a public institution located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,422 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,985 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SPC graduates make an average of $40,600 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

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1,567 Total Awards
$61,176 Average Earnings
$29,814 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,567 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $29,814 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $782. Once they receive their degree, Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,176 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 26% were women.

Read More…

#23

Eastern Florida State College

Melbourne, Florida
5,016 Total Awards
$35,517 Average Earnings
$16,150 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Florida State 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. Located in Melbourne, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 5,016 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,150 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, EFSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,517 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Eastern Florida State College Report

#24

Erwin Technical College

Tampa, Florida
387 Total Awards
$37,741 Average Earnings

Erwin Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Erwin Technical College is a very small public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 387 degrees in 2021-2022.

Once they receive their degree, Erwin Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,741 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Read full report on Erwin Technical College

#25

Manatee Technical College

Bradenton, Florida
870 Total Awards

Manatee Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Manatee Technical College is a small public school located in Bradenton, Florida that handed out 870 degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Read More…

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Celebrity School of Beauty

Miami, Florida
#27

Aveda Institute - Tallahassee

Tallahassee, Florida
#28

Pensacola State College

Pensacola, Florida
#29

Santa Fe College

Gainesville, Florida
#30

Atlantic Technical College

Coconut Creek, Florida
#31

Florida Career College - Orlando

Orlando, Florida
#32

La Belle Beauty Academy

Miami, Florida
#33

Florida Career College - West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach, Florida
#35

Lively Technical College

Tallahassee, Florida
#37

Suncoast Technical College

Sarasota, Florida
#38

Florida Career College - Hialeah

Hialeah, Florida
#40

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida
#41

Florida Vocational Institute

Miami, Florida

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
42 Florida Career College - Lauderdale Lakes Lauderdale Lakes, FL
43 Praxis Institute Miami, FL
44 Orange Technical College - Mid Florida Campus Orlando, FL
45 Lake Technical College Eustis, FL
46 Florida International University Miami, FL
47 Florida Career College - Boynton Beach Boynton Beach, FL
48 Boca Beauty Academy Boca Raton, FL
49 Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, FL
50 Florida Career College - Margate Margate, FL
51 American Medical Academy Miami, FL
52 William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FL
53 L3 Commercial Training Solutions Airline Academy Sanford, FL
54 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
55 University of Florida Gainesville, FL

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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