2023 Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which teaching program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 57 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
The excellent associate degree programs at Pasadena City College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular teaching schools in California. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 171 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Pasadena City College full time pay an average of $1,212 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,596. On average, associate degree students take out $11,830 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pasadena City College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Fullerton College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Fullerton College is located in Fullerton, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,154 in tuition and fees if they attend Fullerton College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,514. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Fullerton 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 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Riverside City College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 99 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Riverside City College is $1,420. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,120. On average, associate degree students take out $10,247 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Riverside City College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Mt. San Jacinto College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular teaching schools in California. MSJC is a public institution located in San Jacinto, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,406 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MSJC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,276. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,865 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
MSJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 18% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Moorpark College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Moorpark, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Moorpark College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,398. On average, associate degree students take out $17,214 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Online courses are available at Moorpark College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, Palomar College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. Located in San Marcos, California, the fairly large public school handed out 64 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Palomar College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,940. Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Palomar College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Santa Ana, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they attend SAC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,684. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,579 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SAC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
San Bernardino Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in San Bernardino, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they attend San Bernardino Valley College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,146. On average, associate degree students take out $9,396 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
One thing to take note of is that San Bernardino Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Evergreen Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. Evergreen Valley College is located in San Jose, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,366 in tuition and fees if they attend Evergreen Valley College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,286. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,716 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
Evergreen Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
College of the Sequoias ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of the Sequoias is $1,394. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,338. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Sequoias accumulate an average of $11,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of the Sequoias. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. SWC Chula Vista is located in Chula Vista, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend SWC Chula Vista full time pay an average of $1,342 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,434. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,239 in student loans. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
SWC Chula Vista 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 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Golden West College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Huntington Beach, California, the fairly large public school awarded 47 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Golden West College full time pay an average of $1,186 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,554. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,650 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Golden West 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 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Saddleback College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Saddleback College is a public institution located in Mission Viejo, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,332 in tuition and fees if they attend Saddleback College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,292. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Saddleback College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #14, Norco College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. Norco College is a medium-sized public school located in Norco, California that handed out 41 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Norco College is $1,420. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,120. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,475 in student loans. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.
Norco 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 34% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 31 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College. 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 $14,292 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
Online courses are available at Los Angeles Trade Technical 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, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Santa Monica College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree teaching programs. This large public school is located in Santa Monica, California, and it awarded 30 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SMC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,090. Associate Degree recipients from SMC accumulate an average of $13,428 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SMC. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Foothill College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Foothill College is a fairly large public school located in Los Altos Hills, California that handed out 27 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Foothill College full time pay an average of $1,565 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,790. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,391 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
Foothill College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cuesta College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree teaching programs. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Cuesta College full time pay an average of $1,338 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,702. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,466 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.
Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
MiraCosta College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree teaching programs. This fairly large public school is located in Oceanside, California, and it awarded 25 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,152 in tuition and fees if they attend MiraCosta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,520. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
MiraCosta 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 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree teaching programs. This fairly large public school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 24 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SCC full time pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,764. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,607 in student loans. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.
SCC 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 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Butte College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,368 in tuition and fees if they attend Butte College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,848. Associate Degree recipients from Butte College accumulate an average of $16,685 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Butte College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.
Los Angeles Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. LAVC is located in Valley Glen, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LAVC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,012. Associate Degree recipients from LAVC accumulate an average of $10,856 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LAVC. In 2019-2020 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, City College of San Francisco did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working on their associate degree. City College of San Francisco is a fairly large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 20 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,604 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.
City College of San Francisco does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Associate Degree Schools in California list. Mt. San Antonio College is a large public school located in Walnut, California that handed out 20 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they attend Mt. SAC full time. 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, 100% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Mt. SAC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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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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