2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 258 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs 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 Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named El Centro College the most popular school in the Southwest Region for students working on their associate degree. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,894 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $18,961 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
El Centro College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Lone Star College System is a great place for students working on their associate degree. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 8,422 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Harris Montgomery is $4,848. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,481 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
North Harris Montgomery 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 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 258 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Tarrant County College District landed the # 3 spot on the list. Tarrant County College is located in Fort Worth, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,226 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from Tarrant County College accumulate an average of $17,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Tarrant County 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Houston Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Southwest Region . Houston Community College is a large public school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 5,462 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Houston Community College is $4,344. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,460. On average, associate degree students take out $23,597 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Houston Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend San Jacinto Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. San Jacinto College is a large public school situated in Pasadena, Texas. It awarded 5,035 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,960 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at San Jacinto College. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Austin Community College District 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. Austin Community College District is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 4,578 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Austin Community College District. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,590. On average, associate degree students take out $16,220 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Austin Community College District 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 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Collin County Community College District came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Collin County Community College District is a large public school located in McKinney, Texas that handed out 4,408 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,094 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Collin County Community College District. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,104. Associate Degree recipients from Collin County Community College District accumulate an average of $17,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central New Mexico 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 #8 on the list. Central New Mexico Community College is a fairly large public school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 4,114 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,684 in tuition and fees if they attend CNM full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,540. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,658 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CNM. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South Texas College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 3,920 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Texas College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,920. Associate Degree recipients from South Texas College accumulate an average of $8,401 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Online courses are available at South Texas College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 3,574 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $23,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
One thing to take note of is that UOPX - Arizona does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #11, El Paso Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. El Paso Community College is a large public school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 3,506 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,274 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend El Paso Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,314. On average, associate degree students take out $10,989 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Online courses are available at El Paso Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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 #12 on the list. San Antonio College is a fairly large public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 3,384 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at San Antonio College is $6,592. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,122. Associate Degree recipients from San Antonio College accumulate an average of $16,504 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
San Antonio 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Blinn College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Blinn College is located in Brenham, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,980 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $5,760 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Blinn College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,530. Associate Degree recipients from Blinn College accumulate an average of $18,672 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Blinn College. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northwest Vista College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,706 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northwest Vista College is $6,592. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,122. On average, associate degree students take out $13,060 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Northwest Vista College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Tulsa Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 2,577 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Oklahoma pay an average of $3,445 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tulsa Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,845. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,665 in student loans. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Tulsa Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Central Texas College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Central Texas College is located in Killeen, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,883 associate degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,657 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Texas College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #17, Tyler Junior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Tyler, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 1,878 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees if they attend Tyler Junior College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,440. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,044 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. OCCC is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,856 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Oklahoma who attend OCCC full time pay an average of $4,059 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,810. Associate Degree recipients from OCCC accumulate an average of $14,583 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Since OCCC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Glendale Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Glendale Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Glendale, Arizona. It awarded 1,720 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Glendale Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Glendale Community College accumulate an average of $16,480 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Glendale Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Texas State Technical 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 #20 on the list. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,697 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,405 in student loans. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.
TSTC 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.
Pima Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 1,617 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Arizona who attend Pima County Community College District full time pay an average of $2,250 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,566. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,202 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pima County Community College District. During the 2019-2020 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Mesa Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,592 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mesa Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,634 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Mesa Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Cochise County Community College District landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the small public school handed out 1,521 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,007 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Online courses are available at Cochise 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, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Palo Alto College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Palo Alto College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,438 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Palo Alto College is $6,592. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,122. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,496 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Online courses are available at Palo Alto College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Del Mar College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 1,344 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,820 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend DMC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,930. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,513 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
One thing to take note of is that DMC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 39 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Arizona Western College | Yuma, AZ |
| 41 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana | Las Cruces, NM |
| 42 | Northeast Lakeview College | Universal City, TX |
| 43 | Southwest Texas Junior College | Uvalde, TX |
| 44 | The University of Texas at Brownsville | Brownsville, TX |
| 45 | Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ |
| 46 | Alvin Community College | Alvin, TX |
| 47 | Rio Salado College | Tempe, AZ |
| 48 | Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 49 | Rose State College | Midwest City, OK |
| 50 | Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ |
| 51 | Kilgore College | Kilgore, TX |
| 52 | Southwest University at El Paso | El Paso, 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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