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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
171 Associate Degree Schools Degrees Awarded
$53,334 Avg Early-Career Salary

Associate Degree Schools degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 224 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for associate degree schools students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Associate Degree Schools in the United States

See the highest-ranked associate degree schools schools offering a associate’s degree below.

Top Schools in Associate Degree Schools

1

Southeast Community College Area tops our 2026 ranking of the best associate degree schools schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Southeast Community College Area awarded about 13 associate degree schools degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their associate degree schools degree from Southeast Community College Area earn around $104,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in associate degree schools from Southeast Community College Area

2

Williamson College Of The Trades came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best associate degree schools schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 20 associate degree schools students who graduated with this degree at Williamson College Of The Trades in the most recent data year. Get the full associate degree schools details for Williamson College Of The Trades

3

A rank of #3 makes Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee one of the top schools for associate degree schools. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. About 16 associate degree schools degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee in the most recent year. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earn a median of $52,354 early in their careers. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. More information about a degree in associate degree schools from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee

4

Idaho State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pocatello. About 35% of students finish within six years. Idaho State University awarded about 17 associate degree schools degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their associate degree schools degree from Idaho State University earn around $51,446 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,640. Get the full associate degree schools details for Idaho State University

5

Texas State Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in associate degree schools, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. Texas State Technical College awarded about 18 associate degree schools degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $40,747. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the associate degree schools program at Texas State Technical College

6
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #6 position for associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. About 18 associate degree schools degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,889. Read more about the associate degree schools program at Ivy Tech Community College

7
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #7 position for associate degree schools this year. This large public university is located in the city of Long Island City. About 14 associate degree schools degrees were awarded at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. See the full associate degree schools program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College

8

Refrigeration School Inc ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Refrigeration School Inc awarded about 55 associate degree schools degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their associate degree schools degree from Refrigeration School Inc earn around $51,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,919. More information about a degree in associate degree schools from Refrigeration School Inc

Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Associate Degree Schools
Bachelor's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
Master's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
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View All Associate Degree Schools Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 224 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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