2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region
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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 524 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular programs 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 Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Phoenix - Arizona the most popular school in the Southwest Region for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 26,013 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $38,447 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 $155 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UOPX - Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,608 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Tulsa Technology Center is a great place for trade school students. Tulsa Technology Center is a small public school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that handed out 3,211 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Tulsa Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,478 during the early year of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Lone Star College System helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southwest Region . Located in The Woodlands, Texas, the large public school handed out 11,449 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,174 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Harris Montgomery graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,839 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend San Jacinto Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Pasadena, Texas, the large public school handed out 8,335 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,844 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, San Jacinto College graduates make an average of $36,140 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. TSTC is located in Waco, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,555 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,471 in student loans. During the early years of their career, TSTC graduates make an average of $37,389 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 10,913 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,877 in student loans. During the early years of their career, El Centro College graduates make an average of $38,417 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Central New Mexico Community 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. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the fairly large public school awarded 7,939 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,753 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,582 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
South Texas 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. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,616 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from South Texas College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,327 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Tulsa Welding School-Houston landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Tulsa Welding School-Houston is a small private for-profit school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 1,272 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,436 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $185. 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 8% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Houston Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school handed out 6,679 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,041 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Houston Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,283 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #11, St Philip’s College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. St Philip’s College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,243 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,175 in student loans.After graduating from St Philip’s College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,104 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Pima Medical Institute - Tucson landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,311 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from PMI Tucson accumulate an average of $17,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $104, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, PMI Tucson graduates make an average of $41,610 annually. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. CHCP - Northwest is located in Houston, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,359 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from CHCP - Northwest accumulate an average of $15,261 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 $74 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CHCP - Northwest, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,488 during the early years of their career. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Full The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest Report
With a ranking of #14, Sonoran Desert Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Sonoran Desert Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 1,360 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,659 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sonoran Desert Institute, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,428 during the early years of their career. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in College Station, Texas, the large public school handed out 20,117 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Texas A&M College Station accumulate an average of $29,452 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 $397. During the early years of their career, Texas A&M College Station graduates make an average of $57,177 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Grand Canyon University 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. This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 29,319 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,993 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $223 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Grand Canyon University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,396 during the early year of their career. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Pima Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 4,307 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Pima County Community College District graduates make an average of $34,116 annually. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 888 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Western Technical College accumulate an average of $16,622 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $101, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Western Technical College graduates make an average of $29,145 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Lee College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 3,677 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,215 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Lee College graduates make an average of $53,502 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 25% were women.
Austin Community College District ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Austin Community College District is located in Austin, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,243 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Austin Community College District accumulate an average of $12,611 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Austin Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,063 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Avondale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Avondale, Arizona, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,081 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,186 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $187 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UTI Avondale graduates make an average of $37,322 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 3% were women.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Avondale
Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee is a public institution located in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,159 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $25,433 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Irving, Texas, the small private for-profit school handed out 968 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,290 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $209. Once they receive their degree, UTI Dallas graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,570 during the early year of their career. Around 4% of those degree recipients were women.
Tarrant County College District ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tarrant County College District is a large public school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 7,513 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Tarrant County College accumulate an average of $13,768 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Tarrant County College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,816 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Tyler Junior 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. Located in Tyler, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,411 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Tyler Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,511 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest 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 Southwest 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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