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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

42 Schools Ranked
$6,478 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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.

Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
48 Total Awards
$27,606 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named University of Providence the best school in the Rocky Mountains Region for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Great Falls, Montana is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 48 students in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend University of Providence, expect to pay an average of $27,606 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Since University of Providence is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#2

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
1,290 Total Awards
$4,471 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Red Rocks Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Red Rocks Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lakewood, Colorado. It awarded 1,290 basic certificates 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,135.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Red Rocks Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Red Rocks Community College

#3

Western Wyoming Community College

Rock Springs, Wyoming
35 Total Awards
$3,600 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Wyoming Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. WWCC is a small public school situated in Rock Springs, Wyoming. It awarded 35 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,600 in tuition and fees if they attend WWCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,640.

WWCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

Full Western Wyoming Community College Report

#4

Laramie County Community College

Cheyenne, Wyoming
222 Total Awards
$4,613 Average Tuition & Fees

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. Located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the small public school awarded 222 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Wyoming who attend LCCC full time pay an average of $4,613 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,913.

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. 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.

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#5

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah
283 Total Awards
$6,391 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Weber State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 283 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,391 in tuition and fees if they attend WSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,084.

Online courses are available at WSU, 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, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Weber State University

#6

Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad, Colorado
339 Total Awards
$5,240 Average Tuition & Fees

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. Trinidad State Junior College is a small public school located in Trinidad, Colorado that handed out 339 basic certificates 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,360.

Trinidad State Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 15% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Trinidad State Junior College Report

#7

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
1,253 Total Awards
$4,065 Average Tuition & Fees

Pikes Peak Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Pikes Peak Community College is a fairly large public school located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that handed out 1,253 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,065 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PPCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,714.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since PPCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.

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#8

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
3,473 Total Awards
$4,126 Average Tuition & Fees

Front Range Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Westminster, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 3,473 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FRCC is $4,126. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,776.

Some students may be able to take online classes at FRCC. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Front Range Community College Report

#9

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
647 Total Awards
$4,980 Average Tuition & Fees

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.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Colorado Mountain College is $4,980. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,820.

Colorado Mountain 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 27% took at least some of their classes online.

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65 Total Awards
$4,236 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Northwestern 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. Located in Rangely, Colorado, the small public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Colorado who attend CNCC full time pay an average of $4,236 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,740.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 25% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Colorado Northwestern Community College

#11

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
383 Total Awards
$9,297 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Mesa University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 383 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Colorado Mesa is $9,297. Out-of-state students pay an average of $23,019.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Colorado Mesa. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#12

Otero Junior College

La Junta, Colorado
94 Total Awards
$4,226 Average Tuition & Fees

Otero Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Otero JC is a public institution located in La Junta, Colorado. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 94 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $4,226 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Otero JC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,730.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Otero JC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 32% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Otero Junior College Report

#13

Morgan Community College

Fort Morgan, Colorado
69 Total Awards
$3,930 Average Tuition & Fees

Morgan 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 #13 on the list. Morgan Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Morgan, Colorado. It awarded 69 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $3,930 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Morgan Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,579.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Morgan Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Morgan Community College

#14

Community College of Aurora

Aurora, Colorado
298 Total Awards
$4,030 Average Tuition & Fees

Community College of Aurora ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Community College of Aurora is a medium-sized public school located in Aurora, Colorado that handed out 298 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,030 in tuition and fees if they attend CCA full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,832.

CCA 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, 22% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Community College of Aurora Report

#15

Intellitec College - Grand Junction

Grand Junction, Colorado
180 Total Awards

Intellitec College - Grand Junction landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. 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.

Full Intellitec College - Grand Junction Report

#16

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
629 Total Awards
$8,364 Average Tuition & Fees

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, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 629 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Idaho who attend Boise State full time pay an average of $8,364 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,701.

You may have the opportunity 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.

Read full report on Boise State University

#17

IBMC College

Fort Collins, Colorado
25 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

IBMC College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. 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.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,960 to cover tuition and fees at IBMC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#18

Northeastern Junior College

Sterling, Colorado
273 Total Awards
$5,345 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Junior College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Sterling, Colorado, and it awarded 273 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $5,345 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NJC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,691.

NJC 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 30% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Northeastern Junior College Report

#19

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
819 Total Awards
$2,954 Average Tuition & Fees

Aims 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 #19 on the list. Aims Community College is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 819 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Aims Community College is $2,954. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,850.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Aims Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho
140 Total Awards
$7,958 Average Tuition & Fees

Idaho State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. 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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at ISU. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Idaho State University

#21

Lewis - Clark State College

Lewiston, Idaho
44 Total Awards

Lewis - Clark State College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Lewis - Clark State College is a small public school located in Lewiston, Idaho that handed out 44 basic certificates 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. 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.

Full Lewis - Clark State College Report

#22

Utah Valley University

Orem, Utah
2,564 Total Awards
$6,270 Average Tuition & Fees

Utah Valley 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 #22 on the list. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school awarded 2,564 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,270 in tuition and fees if they attend UVU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,830.

UVU 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 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Utah Valley University Report

#23

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo, Colorado
1,815 Total Awards
$4,626 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Pueblo Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Pueblo Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Pueblo, Colorado that handed out 1,815 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,626 in tuition and fees if they attend Pueblo Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,275.

One thing to take note of is that Pueblo Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Pueblo Community College

#24

Casper College

Casper, Wyoming
36 Total Awards
$3,528 Average Tuition & Fees

Casper 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 #24 on the list. Located in Casper, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 36 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wyoming pay an average of $3,528 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Casper College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,568.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Casper College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Casper College Report

#25

Snow College

Ephraim, Utah
239 Total Awards
$4,180 Average Tuition & Fees

Snow 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 #25 on the list. Ephraim, Utah is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 239 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $4,180 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Snow College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,130.

Snow College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Snow College

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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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