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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

120 Schools Ranked
$7,156 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 120 schools in the Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
1,263 Total Awards
$4,607 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Madison Area Technical College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Great Lakes Region . Madison College is a fairly large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,263 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madison College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,812.

Madison 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. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

636 Total Awards
$10,144 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school awarded 636 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Indiana who attend IUPUI full time pay an average of $10,144 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,582.

Some students may be able to take online classes at IUPUI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Report

#3

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
994 Total Awards
$9,992 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 994 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,794.

Purdue 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 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#4

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
191 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, the large public school awarded 191 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Some students may be able to take online classes at GVSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#5

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
1,945 Total Awards
$4,826 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fox Valley Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. FVTC is a public institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,945 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Wisconsin who attend FVTC full time pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,977.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FVTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 31% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Fox Valley Technical College

#6

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
931 Total Awards
$4,641 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Moraine Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 931 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,641 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Moraine Park Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,793.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Moraine Park Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#7

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
231 Total Awards
$14,294 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 231 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,294. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Illinois, 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 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Illinois

#8

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
640 Total Awards
$10,446 Average Tuition & Fees

Oakton 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 #8 on the list. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 640 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they attend Oakton Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462.

Online courses are available at Oakton Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Oakton Community College Report

#9

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
1,280 Total Awards
$4,642 Average Tuition & Fees

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,280 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CVTC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,793.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVTC. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Chippewa Valley Technical College Report

211 Total Awards
$6,364 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, University of Cincinnati - Clermont College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. University of Cincinnati - Clermont College is a medium-sized public school located in Batavia, Ohio that handed out 211 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,364 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UC Clermont College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,596.

Online courses are available at UC Clermont 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, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Report

#11

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
947 Total Awards

With a ranking of #11, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and it awarded 947 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WITC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report

#12

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, Wisconsin
487 Total Awards
$4,642 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Blackhawk Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. BTC is located in Janesville, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 487 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees if they attend BTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,793.

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

Read More…

#13

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
10,757 Total Awards
$4,637 Average Tuition & Fees

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10,757 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ivy Tech Community College. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#14

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
1,494 Total Awards
$9,942 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 1,494 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harper College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,754.

One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#15

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
1,378 Total Awards
$9,842 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, College of Lake County did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. College of Lake County is a public institution located in Grayslake, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,378 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees if they attend College of Lake County full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,118.

Online courses are available at College of Lake County, 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 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
1,319 Total Awards
$4,814 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,319 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Wisconsin who attend NWTC full time pay an average of $4,814 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,965.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NWTC. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

#17

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
1,757 Total Awards
$4,766 Average Tuition & Fees

Gateway Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,757 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gateway Technical College is $4,766. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,917.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gateway Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Gateway Technical College Report

#18

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
271 Total Awards

Ferris State University 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 #18 on the list. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 271 basic certificates to qualified students.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ferris. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Ferris State University

#19

Rasmussen University - Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin
63 Total Awards
$13,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Wisconsin ranked #19 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 63 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Wisconsin, expect to pay an average of $13,208 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 Rasmussen University - Wisconsin. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#20

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
1,571 Total Awards
$3,791 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Northcentral Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. North Central Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wausau, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,571 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,791 in tuition and fees if they attend North Central Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,512.

Online courses are available at North Central Technical 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 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#21

Indiana University - Southeast

New Albany, Indiana
21 Total Awards
$7,941 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana University - Southeast 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 small public school is located in New Albany, Indiana, and it awarded 21 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Indiana University - Southeast is $7,941. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,301.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Indiana University - Southeast does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#22

Kaskaskia College

Centralia, Illinois
251 Total Awards
$7,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Kaskaskia College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Kaskaskia College is located in Centralia, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 251 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $7,530 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kaskaskia College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,330.

Online courses are available at Kaskaskia 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 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Kaskaskia College

#23

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
978 Total Awards
$4,571 Average Tuition & Fees

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 978 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they attend WCTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,722.

Online courses are available at WCTC, 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 22% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Waukesha County Technical College Report

#24

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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 #24 on the list.

Full Report

#25

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
483 Total Awards
$4,636 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 483 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,636 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Western Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,788.

One thing to take note of is that Western Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Western Technical College

View Best Basic Certificate Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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