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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region

2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region

113 Schools Ranked
$2,896 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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.

Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

National University

San Diego, California

Our 2023 rankings named National University the best school in the Far Western US Region for trade school students working on their basic certificate.

One thing to take note of is that National University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#2

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
119 Total Awards
$1,234 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Santa Barbara City College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. SBCC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. 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.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SBCC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.

Full Santa Barbara City College Report

#3

Merced College

Merced, California
287 Total Awards
$1,194 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Merced College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Far Western US Region . Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 287 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,890.

Merced Community College District 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, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Merced College Report

#4

Crafton Hills College

Yucaipa, California
216 Total Awards
$1,182 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Crafton Hills College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CHC is a medium-sized public school situated in Yucaipa, California. It awarded 216 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,182 in tuition and fees if they attend CHC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,942.

CHC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Crafton Hills College Report

#5

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
180 Total Awards
$5,058 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Seattle College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school awarded 180 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Seattle. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,547.

North Seattle 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

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#6

Columbia Gorge Community College

The Dalles, Oregon
30 Total Awards
$5,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small public school is located in The Dalles, Oregon, and it awarded 30 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Columbia Gorge Community College is $5,472. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,008.

Columbia Gorge Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Columbia Gorge Community College

#7

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California
805 Total Awards
$1,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Cuesta College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 805 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they attend Cuesta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,348.

One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Full Cuesta College Report

#8

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
2,534 Total Awards
$1,318 Average Tuition & Fees

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. SRJC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 2,534 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

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.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SRJC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Report

#9

Butte College

Oroville, California
777 Total Awards
$1,336 Average Tuition & Fees

Butte College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Oroville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 777 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,336 in tuition and fees if they attend Butte College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,816.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#10

Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, Oregon
4 Total Awards
$12,122 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Oregon Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Oregon Institute of Technology is a small public school located in Klamath Falls, Oregon that handed out 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $33,956.

Some students may be able to take online classes at OIT. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 31% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Oregon Institute of Technology Report

#11

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, California
371 Total Awards
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees

Los Angeles City College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Los Angeles City College is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 371 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Los Angeles City College is $1,238. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,870.

One thing to take note of is that Los Angeles City College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Los Angeles City College Report

#12

Oregon Coast Community College

Newport, Oregon
7 Total Awards
$5,148 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Oregon Coast Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This very small public school is located in Newport, Oregon, and it awarded 7 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Oregon Coast Community College is $5,148. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Oregon Coast Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Oregon Coast Community College

#13

Canada College

Redwood City, California
75 Total Awards
$1,362 Average Tuition & Fees

Canada College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Canada College is a medium-sized public school situated in Redwood City, California. It awarded 75 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Canada College is $1,362. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,006.

Online courses are available at Canada College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Canada College Report

#14

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska
159 Total Awards
$7,508 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Alaska Anchorage ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UAA is located in Anchorage, Alaska and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 159 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Alaska pay an average of $7,508 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UAA. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,635.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UAA. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#15

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
773 Total Awards
$4,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Olympic College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school awarded 773 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OC is $4,472. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,740.

OC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Olympic College

#16

San Joaquin Delta College

Stockton, California
278 Total Awards

San Joaquin Delta 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 #16 on the list. Delta is a fairly large public school situated in Stockton, California. It awarded 278 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Delta does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full San Joaquin Delta College Report

#17

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California
1,648 Total Awards
$1,425 Average Tuition & Fees

Victor Valley College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Victor Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Victorville, California. It awarded 1,648 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Victor Valley College is $1,425. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,125.

Online courses are available at Victor Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

Cabrillo College

Aptos, California
383 Total Awards
$1,262 Average Tuition & Fees

Cabrillo College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. 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.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cabrillo College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,630.

Cabrillo College 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Cabrillo College Report

#19

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, California
62 Total Awards

University of Antelope Valley 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 #19 on the list. Lancaster, California is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 62 students in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at UAV, 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, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#20

Palomar College

San Marcos, California
844 Total Awards
$1,348 Average Tuition & Fees

Palomar College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Palomar College is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 844 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,348 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Palomar College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,644.

One thing to take note of is that Palomar College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Palomar College

#21

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California
773 Total Awards
$1,394 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Sequoias 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 #21 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 773 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of the Sequoias is $1,394. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,338.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Sequoias. 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.

Full College of the Sequoias Report

#22

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California
1,409 Total Awards
$1,352 Average Tuition & Fees

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Walnut, California, the large public school handed out 1,409 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they attend Mt. SAC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,096.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mt. SAC. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Mt. San Antonio College Report

#23

West Hills College-Lemoore

Lemoore, California
688 Total Awards

With a ranking of #23, West Hills College-Lemoore did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Lemoore, California, the small public school handed out 688 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

One thing to take note of is that West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#24

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
579 Total Awards
$1,162 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Canyons ranked #24 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 Clarita, California, and it awarded 579 basic certificates 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,322.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since College of the Canyons does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#25

MTI College

Sacramento, California
131 Total Awards

MTI College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. MTI College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 131 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

One thing to take note of is that MTI College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on MTI College

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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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