2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 240 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Pasadena City College the most popular school in California for students working on their associate degree. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,730 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pasadena City College is $1,212. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,596. Associate Degree recipients from Pasadena City College accumulate an average of $11,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Pasadena City College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Sierra College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Sierra College is a fairly large public school located in Rocklin, California that handed out 4,776 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sierra College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,900. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,268 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Sierra College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 240 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Bakersfield College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Bakersfield, California, the large public school awarded 4,389 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Bakersfield College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,380. Associate Degree recipients from Bakersfield College accumulate an average of $15,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Bakersfield College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Riverside City College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in California. Located in Riverside, California, the fairly large public school awarded 4,223 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Riverside City College is $1,420. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,120. Associate Degree recipients from Riverside City College accumulate an average of $10,247 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Riverside City College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Golden West College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,131 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Golden West College is $1,186. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,554. On average, associate degree students take out $13,650 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Golden West College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
East Los Angeles College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. East Los Angeles College is a large public school located in Monterey Park, California that handed out 4,018 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend East Los Angeles College full time pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,012. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,943 in student loans. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at East Los Angeles College. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Mt. San Antonio College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Mt. San Antonio College is a large public school located in Walnut, California that handed out 3,976 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,032. On average, associate degree students take out $10,559 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, Santa Monica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Santa Monica, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,921 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SMC full time pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,090. On average, associate degree students take out $13,428 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SMC. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Chaffey College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Chaffey College is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,883 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Chaffey College full time pay an average of $1,184 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,960. On average, associate degree students take out $9,680 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Chaffey College. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fullerton College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Fullerton College is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,422 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Fullerton College is $1,154. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,514. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Fullerton College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.
Moorpark College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Moorpark, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,337 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend Moorpark College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,398. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,214 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Moorpark College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
El Camino College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Torrance, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,273 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend El Camino College full time pay an average of $1,144 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,008. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
El Camino College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Santa Barbara City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,238 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SBCC full time pay an average of $1,232 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,459 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
SBCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, College of the Canyons did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 3,200 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Canyons full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,682. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,439 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since College of the Canyons does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. MSJC is a public institution located in San Jacinto, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,195 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend MSJC full time pay an average of $1,406 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,276. On average, associate degree students take out $9,865 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MSJC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 18% took at least some of their classes online.
Saddleback College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in Mission Viejo, California that handed out 3,190 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Saddleback College full time pay an average of $1,332 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,292. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Saddleback College. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Stockton, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,676 students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,761 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delta. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Irvine Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Irvine Valley College is located in Irvine, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,665 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Irvine Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,826. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Irvine Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
American River College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. American River College is a large public school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 2,644 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from American River accumulate an average of $14,093 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at American River. During the 2019-2020 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #20, Allan Hancock College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Allan Hancock College is located in Santa Maria, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,597 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Allan Hancock College is $1,146. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,842. On average, associate degree students take out $16,275 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Allan Hancock College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Santa Ana College is a large public school located in Santa Ana, California that handed out 2,577 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SAC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,684. On average, associate degree students take out $11,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SAC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Ventura College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,576 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ventura College is $1,394. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,398. Associate Degree recipients from Ventura College accumulate an average of $14,425 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ventura College. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Long Beach City College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Long Beach City College is located in Long Beach, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,552 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,556 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Long Beach City College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,444. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,172 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Long Beach City College. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Citrus College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Citrus College is located in Glendora, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,430 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,196 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Citrus College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,804. On average, associate degree students take out $18,558 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Citrus College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 2,441 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,328 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SRJC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,952. On average, associate degree students take out $12,716 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SRJC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 37 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA |
| 39 | Norco College | Norco, CA |
| 40 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA |
| 41 | Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA |
| 42 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA |
| 43 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen, CA |
| 44 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
| 45 | City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 46 | Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA |
| 47 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA |
| 48 | Coastline Community College | Fountain Valley, CA |
| 49 | Merced College | Merced, CA |
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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