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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.
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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. This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $155. Once they receive their degree, UOPX - Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,608 during the early year of their career. 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.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Lone Star College System. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 11,449 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,174 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Harris Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,839 during the early years 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 . Pasadena, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,335 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,844 in student loans.After graduating from San Jacinto College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,140 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Out of the 524 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas State Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Texas State Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 2,555 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,471 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, TSTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,389 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
El Centro College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 10,913 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,877 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,939 degrees to qualified students.
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. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school awarded 5,616 diplomas to qualifed students 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,436 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. During the early years of their career, TWS graduates make an average of $32,926 annually. Around 8% of those degree recipients were women.
Houston Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. 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. During the early years of their career, Houston Community College graduates make an average of $35,283 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
St Philip’s College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 2,243 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,175 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, St Philip’s College graduates make an average of $38,104 annually. Around 45% of those degree recipients 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. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,980 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $104, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from PMI Tucson, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,610 during the early years of their career. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Houston, Texas, the small private for-profit school awarded 1,359 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,261 in loans while pursuing 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. Once they receive their degree, CHCP - Northwest graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,488 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
Full The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest Report
Sonoran Desert Institute 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. Sonoran Desert Institute is a small private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 1,360 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,659 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Sonoran Desert Institute graduates make an average of $62,428 annually. Around 2% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20,117 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $29,452 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $397 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
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.
On average, students take out $32,993 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Pima Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the fairly large public school awarded 4,307 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,883 in student loans. 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 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,622 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $101. During the early years of their career, Western Technical College graduates make an average of $29,145 annually. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
Lee College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Lee College is a medium-sized public school situated in Baytown, Texas. It awarded 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. This large public school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 7,243 degrees in 2021-2022.
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 came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UTI Avondale is located in Avondale, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,081 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $14,186 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.
Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 1,159 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,433 during the early years of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Universal Technical Institute - Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in Irving, Texas that handed out 968 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UTI Dallas accumulate an average of $16,290 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UTI Dallas graduates make an average of $36,570 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Tarrant County College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Tarrant County College is located in Fort Worth, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,513 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Tarrant County College accumulate an average of $13,768 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Tarrant County College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,816 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% 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. 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.After graduating from Tyler Junior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,511 during the early years 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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