2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
The Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 350 schools in the Great Lakes Region 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 the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Ivy Tech Community College the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for students working on their associate degree. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,815 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,984 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Eastern Gateway Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Gateway Community College is a public institution located in Steubenville, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,643 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Eastern Gateway Community College is $4,410. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,022. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,095 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Eastern Gateway Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 350 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Cuyahoga Community College District landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 3,410 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,998 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cuyahoga Community College District. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Columbus State Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school handed out 2,732 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $19,919 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbus State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 350 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, College of DuPage landed the # 5 spot on the list. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,258 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $9,750 in tuition and fees if they attend COD full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,850. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,637 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Online courses are available at COD, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Macomb Community 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 #6 on the list. Located in Warren, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 2,260 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Macomb Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,680. Associate Degree recipients from Macomb Community College accumulate an average of $11,249 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Macomb Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sinclair Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 2,238 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,329 in tuition and fees if they attend Sinclair Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,076. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,728 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Sinclair Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 2,027 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees if they attend Harper College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. On average, associate degree students take out $15,799 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Harper College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,991 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MVCC is $8,118. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,334. Associate Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $13,988 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Online courses are available at MVCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Purdue University Global landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school awarded 1,986 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Indiana who attend Purdue University Global full time pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,436. Associate Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $27,073 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Purdue University Global. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Oakland Community 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 #11 on the list. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 1,826 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Oakland Community College, expect to pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,050 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Oakland Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Joliet Junior College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,517 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Joliet Junior College full time pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,410. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,342 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Joliet Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Vincennes University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Vincennes, Indiana, the fairly large public school handed out 1,443 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $6,449 in tuition and fees if they attend Vincennes University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,253. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,648 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Online courses are available at Vincennes University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 16% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, Lorain County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Elyria, Ohio, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,443 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,465 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,405. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,649 in student loans. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,457 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Madison College full time pay an average of $4,600 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,769. On average, associate degree students take out $21,947 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madison College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Grand Rapids Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 1,398 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Grand Rapids Community College is $7,869. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,589. Associate Degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College accumulate an average of $17,332 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Grand Rapids Community 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Washtenaw Community College is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,322 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Washtenaw Community College is $4,248. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,856. On average, associate degree students take out $20,975 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Washtenaw Community College. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington 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. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,283 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,601 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Harold Washington 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Henry Ford College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 1,266 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Henry Ford College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,192. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,961 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Henry Ford College. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
College of Lake County landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 1,249 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of Lake County is $9,632. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,824. On average, associate degree students take out $14,641 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
One thing to take note of is that College of Lake County does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 1,246 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,793 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MATC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,908. Associate Degree recipients from MATC accumulate an average of $21,921 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MATC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lansing Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Lansing, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 1,203 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Michigan pay an average of $7,340 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,760. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,441 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
Elgin Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,169 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend ECC full time pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. On average, associate degree students take out $16,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
ECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mott Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 1,105 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,201 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,091. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,760 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Stark State College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large public school is located in North Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 1,105 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,310 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Stark State College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,406. On average, associate degree students take out $21,837 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Stark State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes 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:
View Most Popular Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College | Blue Ash, OH |
| 52 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI |
| 52 | Rasmussen University - Illinois | Rockford, IL |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL |
| 55 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI |
| 56 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL |
| 57 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI |
| 58 | Heartland Community College | Normal, IL |
| 59 | St Clair County Community College | Port Huron, MI |
| 60 | Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City, MI |
| 61 | Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI |
| 62 | Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek, MI |
| 63 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global | Marion, IN |
| 64 | Ohio State University - Newark Campus | Newark, OH |
| 65 | Clark State Community College | Springfield, OH |
| 66 | Baker College | Owosso, MI |
| 67 | Jackson College | Jackson, MI |
| 68 | Rend Lake College | Ina, IL |
| 69 | Muskegon Community College | Muskegon, MI |
| 70 | Black Hawk College | Moline, IL |
| 71 | Morton College | Cicero, IL |
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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