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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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Lone Star College System the most popular school in Texas for trade school students working on their degree. Lone Star College System is a large public school located in The Woodlands, Texas that 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. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 320 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jacinto Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. San Jacinto College is located in Pasadena, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 8,335 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $11,844 in loans while pursuing their degree.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. Around 59% of those degree recipients 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. This fairly large public school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 2,555 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,471 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from TSTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,389 during the early years of their career. Around 18% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at El Centro College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Texas. 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.
On average, students take out $13,877 in loans while pursuing 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. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at South Texas College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Texas. McAllen, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,616 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, South Texas College graduates make an average of $29,327 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% 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.After graduating from TWS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,926 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 8% were women.
With a ranking of #7, 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,041 in student loans. 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 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. St Philip’s College is a fairly large public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 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.
The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Houston, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,359 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,261 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $74, assuming you 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. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Full The College of Health Care Professions - Northwest Report
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.
Degree recipients from Texas A&M College Station accumulate an average of $29,452 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $397, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #11, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in El Paso, Texas, the small private for-profit school handed out 888 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,622 in loans while pursuing 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. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Lee College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Lee College is located in Baytown, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,677 degrees to qualified students.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 25% were women.
Austin Community College District ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Located in Austin, Texas, the large public school handed out 7,243 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Austin Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,063 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Dallas ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. This small private for-profit school is located in Irving, Texas, 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.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. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
Tarrant County College District ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,513 students 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. During the early years of their career, Tarrant County College graduates make an average of $38,816 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Tyler Junior College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Tyler Junior College is located in Tyler, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,452 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Tyler Junior College accumulate an average of $13,411 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Del Mar College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Del Mar College is a medium-sized public school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 1,886 degrees 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. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Collin County Community College District came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,085 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Collin County Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,890 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #19, Lincoln College of Technology - Grand Prairie did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Grand Prairie, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 703 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,279 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $183, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie graduates make an average of $36,801 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 8% were women.
El Paso Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. El Paso Community College is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 4,045 degrees 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. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwest University at El Paso landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Southwest University at El Paso is a small private for-profit school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 657 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southwest University at El Paso accumulate an average of $27,204 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 $76 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Southwest University at El Paso graduates make an average of $24,836 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Houston ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas list. Located in Houston, Texas, the small private for-profit school awarded 895 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,290 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UTI Houston, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,570 during the early years of their career. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Amarillo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,380 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Texas ranking. This very small private for-profit school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 686 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,823 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $60, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop), students go on to jobs where they make an average of $22,839 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
Read full report on Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop)
With a ranking of #25, University of Houston did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,852 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,047 in student loans. 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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