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2026 Best Trade Schools
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed 4630 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Highlands College Of Montana Tech this year in the United States. Based in Butte, MT, Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,127, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. Students borrow a median of $2,750 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Highlands College Of Montana Tech report
Columbia Southern University came in at #2 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Located in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $25,447. Read more about Columbia Southern University
The strong Trade programs at Stephens College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Stephens College is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, MO. Stephens College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Stephens College
University Of Great Falls came in at #4 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Set in Great Falls, MT, University Of Great Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Great Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 21%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,448. Graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. See the full University Of Great Falls profile
You'll be in good company at Ottawa University Online, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Ottawa University Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Students from in state pay about $13,296 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $30,758. Read more about Ottawa University Online
Waldorf College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Typical Trade student debt is $24,622. Read the full report on Waldorf College
Dakota State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Dakota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. The median Trade program debt is $28,724. More on Dakota State University
Elizabethtown College landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,599. Read the full report on Elizabethtown College
Miami University Hamilton placed #9 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Hamilton, OH, Miami University Hamilton is a public institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Students borrow a median of $23,763 to complete their Trade program here. More on Miami University Hamilton
University Of St Francis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $25,695. See the full University Of St Francis profile
Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Northwestern University profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year's ranking. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $16,155. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Ottawa University Kansas City landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,296. Ottawa University Kansas City Trade students take on a median of $30,758 in debt. More on Ottawa University Kansas City
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,176. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus Trade students take on a median of $24,787 in debt. See the full Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #15 among Trade schools in the United States. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Newark, NJ. New Jersey Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. New Jersey Institute Of Technology Trade students take on a median of $24,755 in debt. Get the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology report
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Get the full Clemson University report
Ottawa University Phoenix came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Ottawa University Phoenix Trade students take on a median of $30,758 in debt. See the full Ottawa University Phoenix profile
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Wagner College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wagner College graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,200. The median Trade program debt is $26,997. Read the full report on Wagner College
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Trade students take on a median of $25,821 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
Excelsior College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Trade program debt is $19,311. Read the full report on Excelsior College
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex placed #22 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $6,750. Graduates carry a median of $23,820 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania Trade students take on a median of $26,390 in debt. See the full Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania profile
Washington State University placed #24 among Trade schools in the United States. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. The median Trade program debt is $21,903. Read more about Washington State University
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $20,031. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #26 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
White Mountains Community College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Berlin, NH, White Mountains Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete their Trade program here. More on White Mountains Community College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $22,574. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of The Pacific did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stockton, CA. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
Western Governors University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school based in Salt Lake City, UT. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Western Governors University profile
Ohio Northern University placed #31 among Trade schools in the United States. Ohio Northern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ada, OH. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,600. The median Trade program debt is $26,661. More on Ohio Northern University
National University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. See the full National University profile
Bemidji State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Bemidji State University Trade students take on a median of $25,819 in debt. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Concordia University Chicago placed #35 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Concordia University Chicago
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical Trade student debt is $23,551. Read more about University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Bismarck State College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $13,340. Get the full Bismarck State College report
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University Trade students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #39 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Miami University Middletown did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Middletown, OH, Miami University Middletown is a public institution. Miami University Middletown posts a six-year graduation rate of 30%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Graduates carry a median of $23,575 in student loans. Read more about Miami University Middletown
Pacific University placed #41 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $56,374 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Pacific University report
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Oregon Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Klamath Falls, OR. Oregon Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,260, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Graduates carry a median of $27,551 in student loans. See the full Oregon Institute Of Technology profile
West Hills College Lemoore came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lemoore, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. Typical Trade student debt is $9,687. Get the full West Hills College Lemoore report
Duquesne University placed #44 among Trade schools in the United States. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. The median Trade program debt is $26,297. Read the full report on Duquesne University
Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Allentown, PA, Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,528 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown
Michigan State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. The median Trade program debt is $25,213. Get the full Michigan State University report
Marietta College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Marietta, OH, Marietta College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,652. Marietta College Trade students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Marietta College
Merced College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $9,024. Get the full Merced College report
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. See the full Brigham Young University Idaho profile
University Of Minnesota Crookston did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Crookston, MN, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Crookston report
Best Trade Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Doctoral Degree Schools
Best Trade Schools by State
Find the best schools in a specific state:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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