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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Providence the best school in the Rocky Mountains Region for trade school students working on their basic certificate. University of Providence is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Great Falls, Montana. It awarded 48 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at University of Providence is $27,606. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
University of Providence is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Red Rocks Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Lakewood, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,290 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,471 in tuition and fees if they attend Red Rocks Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,135.
One thing to take note of is that Red Rocks Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 51% 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 Western Wyoming Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Rock Springs, Wyoming is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 35 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WWCC is $3,600. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,640.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WWCC. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Laramie County Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. LCCC is a public institution located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The school has a small population, and it awarded 222 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCCC is $4,613. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,913.
LCCC 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Weber State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is located in Ogden, Utah and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 283 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU is $6,391. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,084.
WSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Trinidad State Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Trinidad, Colorado, the small public school awarded 339 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,240 in tuition and fees if they attend Trinidad State Junior College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,360.
Online courses are available at Trinidad State Junior 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 15% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, Pikes Peak Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 1,253 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend PPCC full time pay an average of $4,065 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,714.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PPCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Front Range Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. FRCC is a fairly large public school situated in Westminster, Colorado. It awarded 3,473 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,126 in tuition and fees if they attend FRCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,776.
FRCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.
Colorado Mountain College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 647 basic certificates to qualified students.
Students from Colorado who attend Colorado Mountain College full time pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,820.
Online courses are available at Colorado Mountain 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 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. CNCC is a small public school situated in Rangely, Colorado. It awarded 65 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend CNCC full time pay an average of $4,236 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,740.
One thing to take note of is that CNCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
Colorado Mesa University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it awarded 383 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,297 in tuition and fees if they attend Colorado Mesa full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $23,019.
Colorado Mesa does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Otero Junior College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in La Junta, Colorado, the very small public school handed out 94 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,226 in tuition and fees if they attend Otero JC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,730.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Otero JC. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Morgan Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Morgan Community College is a public institution located in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,930 in tuition and fees if they attend Morgan Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,579.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Morgan Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Community College of Aurora ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Aurora, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 298 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend CCA full time pay an average of $4,030 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,832.
CCA does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Intellitec College - Grand Junction ranked #15 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Intellitec College - Grand Junction is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 180 basic certificates to qualified students.
Boise 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 #16 on the list. Boise State is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 629 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Idaho pay an average of $8,364 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Boise State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,701.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Boise State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
IBMC College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. IBMC is a private for-profit institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 25 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at IBMC is $14,960. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Sterling, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 273 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NJC is $5,345. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,691.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NJC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 30% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, Aims Community 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 Greeley, Colorado, and it awarded 819 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Aims Community College full time pay an average of $2,954 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,850.
Aims Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Idaho State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. ISU is a fairly large public school situated in Pocatello, Idaho. It awarded 140 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ISU is $7,958. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,936.
ISU 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 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lewis - Clark State College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Lewiston, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 44 students in 2021-2022.
Online courses are available at Lewis - Clark State 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 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Utah Valley University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school handed out 2,564 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UVU is $6,270. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,830.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UVU. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Pueblo 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 #23 on the list. Pueblo Community College is located in Pueblo, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,815 basic certificates to qualified students.
Students from Colorado who attend Pueblo Community College full time pay an average of $4,626 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,275.
Pueblo Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Casper College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Casper, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 36 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,528 in tuition and fees if they attend Casper College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,568.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Casper College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Snow College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Snow College is a public institution located in Ephraim, Utah. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 239 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Snow College is $4,180. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,130.
Snow 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
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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.