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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
The Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in Washington 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 Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named North Seattle College the best school in Washington for trade school students working on their basic certificate. North Seattle is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 180 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend North Seattle full time pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,547.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Seattle does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olympic College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Bremerton, Washington, and it awarded 773 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend OC full time pay an average of $4,472 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,740.
OC 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 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Centralia College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Washington. This small public school is located in Centralia, Washington, and it awarded 114 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Centralia College full time pay an average of $4,891 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,381.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Seattle Central College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Washington. This small public school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 73 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,865 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Seattle Central. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,354.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Seattle Central. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Spokane Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Spokane Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 571 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Spokane Community College full time pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,278.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spokane Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 245 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,095 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,357.
One thing to take note of is that Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Tacoma Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 523 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tacoma Community College is $4,901. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,649.
Tacoma Community 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.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school handed out 834 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,979 to cover tuition and fees at CPTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
CPTC 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. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Whatcom Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school handed out 352 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Whatcom Community College full time pay an average of $4,982 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,731.
Whatcom Community 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Columbia Basin College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. This medium-sized public school is located in Pasco, Washington, and it awarded 141 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CBC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,738.
CBC 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 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Skagit Valley College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Skagit Valley College is a small public school situated in Mount Vernon, Washington. It awarded 259 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Skagit Valley College is $4,748. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,888.
One thing to take note of is that Skagit Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Big Bend Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Big Bend Community College is located in Moses Lake, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 166 basic certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,744 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Big Bend Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,234.
Big Bend Community 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 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Yakima Valley College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. YVC is located in Yakima, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 322 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at YVC is $4,998. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,488.
One thing to take note of is that YVC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Walla Walla Community 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 #14 on the list. Walla Walla Community College is located in Walla Walla, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 92 basic certificates to qualified students.
Online courses are available at Walla Walla Community 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, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Clark College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Vancouver, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 90 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,529 in tuition and fees if they attend Clark College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,133.
One thing to take note of is that Clark College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Renton Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Renton Technical College is a public institution located in Renton, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 178 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees if they attend Renton Technical College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,252.
One thing to take note of is that Renton Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Everett Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Everett Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Everett, Washington. It awarded 419 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Everett Community College is $4,152. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,831.
Everett Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #18, Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. LWTech is a public institution located in Kirkland, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 481 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LWTech is $4,710. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,390.
LWTech 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. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #19, Lower Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Lower Columbia College is a small public school located in Longview, Washington that handed out 49 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,261 in tuition and fees if they attend LCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,514.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCC. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Grays Harbor College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Aberdeen, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 48 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GHC is $4,605. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,284.
One thing to take note of is that GHC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Peninsula College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Port Angeles, Washington, the small public school awarded 107 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Peninsula College full time pay an average of $4,439 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,919.
Peninsula College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 21 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.