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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio

2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio

29 Schools Ranked
$6,523 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 can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Ohio 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 Ohio

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

211 Total Awards
$6,364 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named University of Cincinnati - Clermont College the best school in Ohio for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Batavia, Ohio, and it awarded 211 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,364 in tuition and fees if they attend UC Clermont College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,596.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UC Clermont College. 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

416 Total Awards
$5,274 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 416 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Cincinnati State full time pay an average of $5,274 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,558.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cincinnati State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report

104 Total Awards
$4,532 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend James A Rhodes State College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Located in Lima, Ohio, the small public school handed out 104 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Rhodes State College full time pay an average of $4,532 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,742.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rhodes State College. In 2020-2021 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

#4

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
309 Total Awards
$5,630 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Owens Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Perrysburg, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 309 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,630 in tuition and fees if they attend Owens State Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,022.

Owens State 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 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Owens Community College Report

105 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Remington College - Cleveland Campus. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Remington College - Cleveland Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 105 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Remington College - Cleveland Campus. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Remington College - Cleveland Campus

22 Total Awards
$6,790 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Blue Ash, Ohio, and it awarded 22 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UC Blue Ash College is $6,790. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,588.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UC Blue Ash College. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College Report

7,572 Total Awards
$4,569 Average Tuition & Fees

Sinclair Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 7,572 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,569 in tuition and fees if they attend Sinclair Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,316.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sinclair Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

59 Total Awards
$12,427 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Akron, Ohio, and it awarded 59 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $12,427 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend University of Akron Main Campus. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,500.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at University of Akron Main Campus. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Report

175 Total Awards

Central Ohio Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. COTC is a small public school situated in Newark, Ohio. It awarded 175 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since COTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#10

Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, Ohio
139 Total Awards
$4,477 Average Tuition & Fees

Lakeland Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Lakeland is a public institution located in Kirtland, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 139 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Lakeland full time pay an average of $4,477 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,105.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lakeland. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Lakeland Community College Report

68 Total Awards
$11,373 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Kent, Ohio, the large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kent State is $11,373. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,287.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kent State does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Kent State University at Kent Report

#12

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
7 Total Awards
$11,311 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Toledo came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school situated in Toledo, Ohio. It awarded 7 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $11,311 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend University of Toledo. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,671.

University of Toledo does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

879 Total Awards
$4,660 Average Tuition & Fees

Lorain County Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. LCCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elyria, Ohio. It awarded 879 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,660 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,601.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCCC. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Lorain County Community College

#14

Clark State Community College

Springfield, Ohio
627 Total Awards
$4,152 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Clark State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Springfield, Ohio, the small public school handed out 627 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Clark State Community College full time pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,568.

Clark State 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. In 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Zane State College

Zanesville, Ohio
47 Total Awards
$5,706 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Zane State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Zanesville, Ohio, the small public school handed out 47 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Zane State College is $5,706. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,166.

Zane State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

New Philadelphia, Ohio
18 Total Awards
$6,995 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Tuscarawas came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Kent State University at Tuscarawas is located in New Philadelphia, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 18 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kent State University at Tuscarawas. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,910.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State University at Tuscarawas does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Kent State University at Tuscarawas

#17

Stark State College

North Canton, Ohio
737 Total Awards
$4,548 Average Tuition & Fees

Stark State College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Stark State College is a fairly large public school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 737 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,548 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Stark State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,644.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stark State College. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Stark State College Report

447 Total Awards

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 447 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Cuyahoga Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Report

#19

Belmont College

St Clairsville, Ohio
78 Total Awards
$4,700 Average Tuition & Fees

Belmont College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in St Clairsville, Ohio, the very small public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Belmont College full time pay an average of $4,700 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,420.

Belmont College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Belmont College Report

47 Total Awards
$4,578 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest State Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Northwest State Community College is a small public school situated in Archbold, Ohio. It awarded 47 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,578 in tuition and fees if they attend Northwest State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,930.

Northwest State 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. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#21

North Central State College

Mansfield, Ohio
139 Total Awards
$5,786 Average Tuition & Fees

North Central State College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Mansfield, Ohio, the small public school awarded 139 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend North Central State College full time pay an average of $5,786 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,384.

Online courses are available at North Central State 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 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on North Central State College

226 Total Awards
$4,251 Average Tuition & Fees

Edison State Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Piqua, Ohio, the small public school awarded 226 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,251 in tuition and fees if they attend Edison Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,851.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Edison Community College. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Edison State Community College

39 Total Awards
$11,867 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Northwestern Ohio 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 #23 on the list. Lima, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 39 students in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend University of Northwestern Ohio, expect to pay an average of $11,867 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

One thing to take note of is that University of Northwestern Ohio does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full University of Northwestern Ohio Report

1 Total Awards
$6,995 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Salem came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Kent State University at Salem is a small public school situated in Salem, Ohio. It awarded 1 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kent State University at Salem. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,910.

One thing to take note of is that Kent State University at Salem does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Kent State University at Salem Report

42 Total Awards

Washington State Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school handed out 42 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

WSCC 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, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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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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