2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
The Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 113 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found National University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Far Western US Region .
One thing to take note of is that National University does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Barbara City College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 119 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they attend SBCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322.
SBCC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Merced College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Merced, California, the fairly large public school awarded 287 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Merced Community College District is $1,194. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,890.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Merced Community College District. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Crafton Hills College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Yucaipa, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 216 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,182 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CHC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,942.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CHC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at North Seattle College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Far Western US Region . Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school awarded 180 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend North Seattle full time pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,547.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Seattle. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Columbia Gorge Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in The Dalles, Oregon, the small public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees if they attend Columbia Gorge Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,008.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbia Gorge Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Cuesta College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 805 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cuesta College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348.
Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,534 basic certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SRJC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,310.
SRJC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Butte College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 777 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butte College is $1,336. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,816.
Online courses are available at Butte 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, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Oregon Institute of Technology landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. OIT is a small public school situated in Klamath Falls, Oregon. It awarded 4 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $12,122 in tuition and fees if they attend OIT full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $33,956.
One thing to take note of is that OIT does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Los Angeles City College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, the fairly large public school handed out 371 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,238 in tuition and fees if they attend Los Angeles City College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,870.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Los Angeles City College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Oregon Coast Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Newport, Oregon, the very small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Oregon Coast Community College, expect to pay an average of $5,148 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Oregon Coast Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Canada College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Canada College is a public institution located in Redwood City, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 75 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they attend Canada College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,006.
Canada College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Alaska Anchorage did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, the fairly large public school awarded 159 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UAA is $7,508. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,635.
One thing to take note of is that UAA does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Olympic College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school handed out 773 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,472 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend OC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,740.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at OC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Stockton, California, and it awarded 278 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Delta. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #17, Victor Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Victor Valley College is a fairly large public school located in Victorville, California that handed out 1,648 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,425 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Victor Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,125.
Victor Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cabrillo College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 383 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cabrillo College is $1,262. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,630.
Online courses are available at Cabrillo College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #19, University of Antelope Valley did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. University of Antelope Valley is a very small private for-profit school located in Lancaster, California that handed out 62 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UAV does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 17% took at least some of their classes online.
Palomar College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Palomar College is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 844 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Palomar College full time pay an average of $1,348 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,644.
Palomar College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Sequoias ranked #21 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 773 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Sequoias full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,338.
College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,409 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,096.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.
West Hills College-Lemoore ranked #23 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small public school situated in Lemoore, California. It awarded 688 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Some students may be able to take online classes at West Hills College-Lemoore. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, College of the Canyons did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Santa Clarita, California, the fairly large public school handed out 579 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Canyons. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,322.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Canyons. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, MTI College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Sacramento, California, the very small private for-profit school handed out 131 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MTI College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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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