Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Trade certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 schools 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Saint Vincent College this year in the United States. Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit school based in Latrobe, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,396. Saint Vincent College Trade students take on a median of $26,986 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Vincent College
The strong Trade programs at University Of Great Falls earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Great Falls, MT. About 21% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,448. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about University Of Great Falls
A rank of #3 makes Columbia Southern University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Columbia Southern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 26%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Students borrow a median of $25,447 to complete their Trade program here. More on Columbia Southern University
A rank of #4 makes Bismarck State College one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. The median Trade program debt is $13,340. Read more about Bismarck State College
North Hennepin Community College came in at #5 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Based in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. North Hennepin Community College Trade students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. Read more about North Hennepin Community College
Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Typical Trade student debt is $26,390. See the full Edinboro University Of Pennsylvania profile
National University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $30,426. Read the full report on National University
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Crookston, MN, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Crookston graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. University Of Minnesota Crookston Trade students take on a median of $26,661 in debt. Read more about University Of Minnesota Crookston
Panola College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Panola College is a public school based in Carthage, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. See the full Panola College profile
Santa Barbara City College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Typical Trade student debt is $21,090. More on Santa Barbara City College
Madison Area Technical College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical Trade student debt is $25,639. Read the full report on Bethel University Minnesota
Thomas Jefferson University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Thomas Jefferson University Trade students take on a median of $32,256 in debt. Get the full Thomas Jefferson University report
Merced College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Merced College is a public school based in Merced, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Located in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Eastern Kentucky University Trade students take on a median of $25,122 in debt. Get the full Eastern Kentucky University report
Bunker Hill Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Bunker Hill Community College is a public school based in Boston, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical Trade student debt is $11,893. Get the full Bunker Hill Community College report
University Of North Dakota came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. The median Trade program debt is $25,110. More on University Of North Dakota
Crafton Hills College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Yucaipa, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,188, while out-of-state students pay about $14,556. The median Trade program debt is $23,000. More on Crafton Hills College
Seattle Community College North Campus placed #19 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College North Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. The median Trade program debt is $16,643. Read the full report on Seattle Community College North Campus
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
Rasmussen College Florida placed #21 among Trade schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. Students from in state pay about $16,256 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $28,798. Read the full report on Rasmussen College Florida
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical Trade student debt is $19,844. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Grand Valley State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. Grand Valley State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical Trade student debt is $26,378. See the full Grand Valley State University profile
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Fox Valley Technical College is a public school based in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Fox Valley Technical College Trade students take on a median of $13,319 in debt. Read more about Fox Valley Technical College
Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in The Dalles, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. The median Trade program debt is $17,416. Read more about Columbia Gorge Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Cuesta College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete their Trade program here. More on Cuesta College
Red Rocks Community College placed #27 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Lakewood, CO, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $14,471. See the full Red Rocks Community College profile
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Fond du Lac, WI, Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Moraine Park Technical College report
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #29 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Students borrow a median of $18,973 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Dunwoody College Of Technology profile
Rasmussen College Illinois ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,581. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Trade program here. More on Rasmussen College Illinois
El Centro College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical Trade student debt is $14,557. Read the full report on El Centro College
White Mountains Community College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Berlin, NH, White Mountains Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $15,300. White Mountains Community College Trade students take on a median of $18,250 in debt. Get the full White Mountains Community College report
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #33 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. The median Trade program debt is $14,692. Get the full Santa Rosa Junior College report
Galveston College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Galveston, TX, Galveston College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,726, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Galveston College Trade students take on a median of $15,183 in debt. See the full Galveston College profile
Oakton Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Des Plaines, IL, Oakton Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. The median Trade program debt is $7,750. Get the full Oakton Community College report
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete their Trade program here. More on Chippewa Valley Technical College
Cedar Crest College placed #37 among Trade schools in the United States. Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit school based in Allentown, PA. Cedar Crest College graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Cedar Crest College Trade students take on a median of $30,759 in debt. Read the full report on Cedar Crest College
Butte College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Butte College is a public school based in Oroville, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $13,302. Read more about Butte College
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Batavia, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College Trade students take on a median of $19,525 in debt. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Clermont College report
Oregon Institute Of Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Klamath Falls, OR. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,260, compared with $37,196 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $27,551. Read more about Oregon Institute Of Technology
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in Elizabethtown, KY, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,245 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Elizabethtown Community And Technical College report
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Rasmussen College Minnesota Trade students take on a median of $28,723 in debt. More on Rasmussen College Minnesota
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Rice Lake, WI, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Trade students take on a median of $11,384 in debt. Read the full report on Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Los Angeles City College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles City College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical Trade student debt is $10,763. Read the full report on Los Angeles City College
Pierpont Community And Technical College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,762, while out-of-state students pay about $13,660. The median Trade program debt is $16,268. Read the full report on Pierpont Community And Technical College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #46 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Trade program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Oregon Coast Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Newport, OR, Oregon Coast Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544. See the full Oregon Coast Community College profile
Blackhawk Technical College placed #48 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Janesville, WI, Blackhawk Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Blackhawk Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Canada College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Redwood City, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Canada College
Related Trade Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Trade Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.