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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.
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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 . Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Clearwater, Florida that 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. During the early years of their career, UMA Clearwater graduates make an average of $21,883 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
The programs at Bluegrass Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southeast Region . Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,011 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,138 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $124. 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.
Read full report on Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Out of the 1,204 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Jefferson Community and Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. 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.
Out of the 1,204 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Georgia Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Warner Robins, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,744 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,228 in loans while pursuing 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.
The programs at ECPI University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southeast Region . Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 4,022 diplomas to qualifed students 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. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Rome, Georgia. It awarded 3,233 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,523 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Georgia Northwestern Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,809 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5,706 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $44,751 in loans while pursuing 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. 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 landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $17,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Wake Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,991 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients 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. Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Daytona Beach, Florida. It awarded 3,705 degrees 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. 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.
Read full report on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Hinds Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.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 small private for-profit school situated in Covington, Louisiana. It awarded 1,847 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington accumulate an average of $9,238 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 $88 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, Covington graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $19,388 during the early year of their career. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Gateway Community and Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Florence, Kentucky, the small public school handed out 3,188 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,919 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,770 during the early year of their career. 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. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky that handed out 3,257 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $12,539 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,037 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.
On average, students take out $13,094 in loans while pursuing 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 landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Somerset, Kentucky, and it awarded 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. During the early years of their career, SCC graduates make an average of $33,815 annually. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.
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.
With a ranking of #18, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Perkinston, Mississippi, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,406 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,629 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates make an average of $27,307 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. SKYCTC is a small public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 2,374 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,214 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SKYCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,998 during the early years of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
South Florida Institute of Technology came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. South Florida Institute of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 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. Around 35% of those degree recipients 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. Located in Valdosta, Georgia, the small public school awarded 2,017 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,345 during the early year of their career. 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. West Georgia Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Waco, Georgia that handed out 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.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. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Savannah 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. This small public school is located in Savannah, Georgia, and it awarded 2,418 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Savannah Tech graduates make an average of $31,136 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbia Southern University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Orange Beach, Alabama that handed out 5,998 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,142 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Columbia Southern University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,041 during the early years of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Ashland 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 #25 on the list. Ashland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Ashland, Kentucky that handed out 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.