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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 analysis found University of Cincinnati - Clermont College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Ohio. University of Cincinnati - Clermont College is a medium-sized public school located in Batavia, Ohio that handed out 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,596.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UC Clermont College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

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416 Total Awards
$5,274 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Cincinnati State is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 416 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $5,274 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cincinnati State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,558.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cincinnati State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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104 Total Awards
$4,532 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend James A Rhodes State College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Lima, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 104 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Rhodes State College full time pay an average of $4,532 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,742.

One thing to take note of is that Rhodes State College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

#4

Owens Community College

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

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Owens Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Owens State Community College is a public institution located in Perrysburg, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 309 basic certificates 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Owens State Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.

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105 Total Awards

Out of the 29 schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, Remington College - Cleveland Campus landed the # 5 spot on the 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.

If you are interested in distance education, Remington College - Cleveland Campus is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

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22 Total Awards
$6,790 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. UC Blue Ash College is located in Blue Ash, Ohio and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 22 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Ohio who attend UC Blue Ash College full time pay an average of $6,790 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,588.

You may have the opportunity 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.

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

Sinclair Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 7,572 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,569 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sinclair Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,316.

One thing to take note of is that Sinclair Community 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 Sinclair Community College

59 Total Awards
$12,427 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 59 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend University of Akron Main Campus full time pay an average of $12,427 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,500.

University of Akron Main Campus 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 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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175 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Central Ohio Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Newark, Ohio, the small public school awarded 175 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at COTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Central Ohio Technical College

#10

Lakeland Community College

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

Lakeland 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 #10 on the list. This small public school is located in Kirtland, Ohio, and it awarded 139 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,477 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lakeland. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,105.

Online courses are available at Lakeland, 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 61% took at least some of their classes online.

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68 Total Awards
$11,373 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Kent ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 68 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $11,373 in tuition and fees if they attend Kent State full time. 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Kent State University at Kent

#12

University of Toledo

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

University of Toledo ranked #12 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7 basic certificates to qualified students.

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

University of Toledo 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 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Toledo

879 Total Awards
$4,660 Average Tuition & Fees

Lorain County Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. LCCC is located in Elyria, Ohio and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 879 basic certificates to qualified students.

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

Online courses are available at LCCC, 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 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. This small public school is located in Springfield, Ohio, and it awarded 627 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees if they attend Clark State Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,568.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Clark State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Clark State Community College Report

#15

Zane State College

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

Zane State College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio ranking. This small public school is located in Zanesville, Ohio, and it awarded 47 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Zane State College full time pay an average of $5,706 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,166.

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

Full Zane State College Report

#16

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

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

With a ranking of #16, Kent State University at Tuscarawas did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in New Philadelphia, Ohio, the small public school handed out 18 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Kent State University at Tuscarawas full time pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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 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 #17 on the list. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 737 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Stark State College is $4,548. Out-of-state students 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 landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 447 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Cuyahoga 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, 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 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. Located in St Clairsville, Ohio, the very small public school handed out 78 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

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

Belmont College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 40% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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47 Total Awards
$4,578 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest State 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 #20 on the list. Located in Archbold, Ohio, the small public school handed out 47 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Northwest State Community College full time pay an average of $4,578 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,930.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northwest State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northwest State Community College

#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.

In-state students pay an average of $5,786 in tuition and fees if they attend North Central State College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,384.

One thing to take note of is that North Central State College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full North Central State College Report

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. Piqua, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 226 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $4,251 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Edison Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,851.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Edison Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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39 Total Awards
$11,867 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Northwestern Ohio ranked #23 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. University of Northwestern Ohio is located in Lima, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 39 basic certificates to qualified students.

University of Northwestern Ohio does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $11,867. This amount may 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Northwestern Ohio Report

1 Total Awards
$6,995 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Salem landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Salem, Ohio, the small public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Ohio who attend Kent State University at Salem full time pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,910.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kent State University at Salem. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Kent State University at Salem Report

42 Total Awards

Washington State Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. Marietta, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 42 students in 2021-2022.

Some students may be able to take online classes at WSCC. 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.

Full Washington State Community College Report

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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