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2026 Best Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Trade bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 4630 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best Trade school in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. The median Trade program debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
A rank of #2 makes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The strong Trade programs at Grantham University earned it the #3 place in the United States. This public school is set in LIttle Rock, AR. Grantham University graduates 17% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,520. Graduates carry a median of $30,600 in student loans. Read more about Grantham University
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stephens College landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, MO. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $28,300. Graduates carry a median of $33,326 in student loans. Get the full Stephens College report
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Ottawa University Online landed the #5 spot. Located 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,296. Ottawa University Online Trade students take on a median of $30,758 in debt. See the full Ottawa University Online profile
Columbia Southern University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school based in Orange Beach, AL. Columbia Southern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 26%. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Columbia Southern University Trade students take on a median of $25,447 in debt. More on Columbia Southern University
Dakota State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,724 in student loans. Get the full Dakota State University report
Miami University Hamilton placed #8 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. Graduates carry a median of $23,763 in student loans. Get the full Miami University Hamilton report
Waldorf College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Waldorf College is a private for-profit school based in Forest City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,978. The median Trade program debt is $24,622. Read more about Waldorf College
Elizabethtown College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Elizabethtown College report
Ottawa University Milwaukee placed #11 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Brookfield, WI, Ottawa University Milwaukee is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,296. The median Trade program debt is $31,484. Read the full report on Ottawa University Milwaukee
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Georgetown University Trade students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. More on Georgetown University
University Of St Francis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about University Of St Francis
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. The median Trade program debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,176. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Ottawa University Kansas City landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,296. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Read more about Ottawa University Kansas City
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $24,755. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Clemson University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Read more about Clemson University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Trade program debt is $18,627. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Ottawa University Phoenix did well this year, earning the #21 position. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Read more about Ottawa University Phoenix
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #22 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical Trade student debt is $24,245. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Trade program debt is $19,844. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Wagner College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,200. Wagner College Trade students take on a median of $26,997 in debt. More on Wagner College
Clarkson University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Potsdam, NY. Clarkson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,398. Graduates carry a median of $26,566 in student loans. More on Clarkson University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical Trade student debt is $25,821. More on University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,750. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex Trade students take on a median of $23,820 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex profile
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #28 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Illinois Institute Of Technology Trade students take on a median of $26,774 in debt. See the full Illinois Institute Of Technology profile
Wilmington University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in New Castle, DE, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wilmington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 22%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. The median Trade program debt is $26,054. Get the full Wilmington University report
Bemidji State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bemidji, MN. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,237. Graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. See the full Bemidji State University profile
Washington State University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical Trade student debt is $21,903. Read the full report on Washington State University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #32 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #34 in this year's ranking. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Trade program debt is $21,818. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
Excelsior College placed #35 among Trade schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Albany, NY. Excelsior College Trade students take on a median of $19,311 in debt. Read more about Excelsior College
Warner Pacific College Adult Degree Program placed #36 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Portland, OR, Warner Pacific College Adult Degree Program is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,640. Graduates carry a median of $41,254 in student loans. Read more about Warner Pacific College Adult Degree Program
Foothill College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Los Altos Hills, CA, Foothill College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical Trade student debt is $11,595. Read the full report on Foothill College
Rider University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,241. See the full Rider University profile
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire report
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. About 87% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. More on Stevens Institute Of Technology
University Of The Pacific came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #42 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete their Trade program here. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Western Governors University placed #43 among Trade schools in the United States. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Western Governors University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Western Governors University Trade students take on a median of $23,277 in debt. Get the full Western Governors University report
Miami University Middletown came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Middletown, OH. About 30% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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
Ohio Northern University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Ohio Northern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ada, OH. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,600. Ohio Northern University Trade students take on a median of $26,661 in debt. Read more about Ohio Northern University
Concordia University Chicago ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical Trade student debt is $26,956. Get the full Concordia University Chicago report
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #47 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Platteville, WI. University Of Wisconsin Platteville posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete their Trade program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Iowa State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Trade program debt is $23,495. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Trade student debt is $21,577. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Related Trade Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Trade Schools (All Levels)
- Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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