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