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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. This report analyzed 63 schools in Alabama 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 Alabama
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the most popular school for trade school students in Alabama. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,998 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of $25,142 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Columbia Southern University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,041 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Wallace State Community College, Hanceville is a great place for trade school students. Wallace State, Hanceville is located in Hanceville, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,501 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,970 in student loans.After graduating from Wallace State, Hanceville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,585 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means John C Calhoun State Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Tanner, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,268 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Calhoun Community College accumulate an average of $13,709 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Calhoun Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,694 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 63 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Coastal Alabama Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Coastal Alabama Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bay Minette, Alabama. It awarded 1,515 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,333 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Coastal Alabama Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,085 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 63 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Bevill State Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Jasper, Alabama, the small public school awarded 1,200 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Bevill State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,370 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwest-Shoals Community 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. Northwest-Shoals Community College is a small public school located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama that handed out 1,443 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,788 in student loans.After graduating from NW-SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $28,614 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. GSCC is located in Gadsden, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,522 degrees to qualified students.
After graduating from GSCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,201 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
Southern Union State Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Southern Union State Community College is a small public school located in Wadley, Alabama that handed out 1,684 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College accumulate an average of $11,262 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Southern Union State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,006 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Northeast Alabama Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Northeast is a public institution located in Rainsville, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,127 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Northeast accumulate an average of $6,929 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northeast graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,138 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama list. Jeff State is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,652 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,688 in student loans.After graduating from Jeff State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,906 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Wallace Community College, Dothan came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Wallace, Dothan is located in Dothan, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,018 degrees to qualified students.
During the early years of their career, Wallace, Dothan graduates make an average of $29,871 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Shelton State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Shelton State Community College is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 853 degrees to qualified students.
Once they receive their degree, Shelton State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,938 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Bishop State Community College 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. Bishop State Community College is a small public school situated in Mobile, Alabama. It awarded 651 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Bishop State Community College graduates make an average of $33,515 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College 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. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is a small public school situated in Andalusia, Alabama. It awarded 541 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,722 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama list. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 609 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, LSCC - Birmingham Campus graduates make an average of $41,053 annually. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report
Fortis College 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. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the very small private for-profit school awarded 180 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Fortis College - Mobile accumulate an average of $12,610 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $88, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fortis College - Mobile, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,975 during the early years of their career. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Fortis Institute - Birmingham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Fortis Institute - Birmingham is a very small private for-profit school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 224 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,238 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $67, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fortis Institute - Birmingham graduates make an average of $26,766 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Ingram State Technical College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small public school is located in Deatsville, Alabama, and it awarded 631 degrees in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.
H Councill Trenholm State Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama list. H Councill Trenholm State Community College is a small public school located in Montgomery, Alabama that handed out 289 degrees in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the very small public school handed out 167 degrees in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Herzing University - Birmingham came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 245 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $29,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Herzing University - Birmingham, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,963 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Fortis College - Montgomery did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Fortis College - Montgomery is located in Montgomery, Alabama and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 123 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Fortis College - Montgomery accumulate an average of $10,698 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 $88.After graduating from Fortis College - Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $22,072 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Wallace Community College, Selma did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. WCCS is a small public school situated in Selma, Alabama. It awarded 329 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, WCCS graduates make an average of $32,181 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Jacksonville State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Jacksonville, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,035 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,845 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $174. Once they receive their degree, Jacksonville State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,073 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Auburn University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Alabama list. Auburn University is a large public school located in Auburn, Alabama that handed out 8,117 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $35,740 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $668 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Auburn graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,769 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Southeast Region
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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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