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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas
There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. 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 Texas to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 320 schools in Texas 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.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Lone Star College System to be the most popular school for trade school students in Texas. This large public school is located in The Woodlands, Texas, and it awarded 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.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. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at San Jacinto Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Texas. San Jacinto College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, Texas. It awarded 8,335 degrees 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. Once they receive their degree, San Jacinto College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,140 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Out of the 320 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas State Technical College landed the # 3 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.
On average, students take out $12,471 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Centro College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10,913 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,877 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, El Centro College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,417 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 320 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the # 5 spot on the list. South Texas College is a large public school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 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.
With a ranking of #6, Tulsa Welding School-Houston did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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. 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 ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school awarded 6,679 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $17,041 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Houston Community College graduates make an average of $35,283 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
St Philip’s College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,243 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from St Philip’s College accumulate an average of $14,175 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest is a small private for-profit school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 1,359 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,261 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest
With a ranking of #10, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in College Station, Texas, the large public school handed out 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. 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. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Western Technical College is located in El Paso, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 888 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Western Technical College accumulate an average of $16,622 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 $101. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.
Lee College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,677 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,215 in student loans. 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,243 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,611 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Austin Community College District graduates make an average of $39,063 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas 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. UTI Dallas is a private for-profit institution located in Irving, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 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. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
Tarrant County College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Tarrant County College is a public institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,513 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,768 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Tarrant County College graduates make an average of $38,816 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Tyler Junior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,411 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Tyler Junior College graduates make an average of $37,511 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Del Mar College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,886 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $6,385 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, DMC graduates make an average of $40,941 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Collin County Community College District landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in McKinney, Texas, the large public school awarded 6,278 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,085 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Collin County Community College District graduates make an average of $42,890 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Lincoln College of Technology - Grand Prairie came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, the small private for-profit school awarded 703 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie accumulate an average of $12,279 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $183, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,801 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 8% were women.
Read full report on Lincoln College of Technology - Grand Prairie
El Paso Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. Located in El Paso, Texas, the large public school awarded 4,045 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,729 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, El Paso Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,128 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Southwest University at El Paso 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. Southwest University at El Paso is a private for-profit institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 657 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,204 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $76 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Southwest University at El Paso graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,836 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Houston came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. UTI Houston is located in Houston, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 895 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $16,290 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $209 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UTI Houston graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,570 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 5% were women.
Amarillo College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,380 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,385 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Amarillo College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,621 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) is a very small private for-profit school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 686 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,823 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $60. During the early years of their career, Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) graduates make an average of $22,839 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) Report
University of Houston landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school awarded 10,852 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UH accumulate an average of $28,047 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 $266 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UH, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,769 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas
Not only did these schools make the top 49 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Trinity Valley Community College | Athens, TX |
| 51 | Southern Careers Institute - Harlingen | Harlingen, TX |
| 52 | South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX |
| 53 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
| 54 | Southern Careers Institute - Pharr | Pharr, TX |
| 55 | Kilgore College | Kilgore, TX |
| 56 | Grayson College | Denison, TX |
| 57 | Altierus Career College - Bissonnet | Houston, TX |
| 58 | Southern Careers Institute - Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX |
| 59 | The College of Health Care Professions - McAllen Campus | McAllen, TX |
| 60 | Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (SW Military Drive) | San Antonio, TX |
| 60 | Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX |
| 60 | Alvin Community College | Alvin, TX |
| 63 | Navarro College | Corsicana, TX |
| 64 | South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-McAllen | McAllen, TX |
| 65 | The College of Health Care Professions - Austin | Austin, TX |
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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