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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky

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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky

18 Schools Ranked
$4,575 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

The Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

2,206 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Elizabethtown Community and Technical College the best school in Kentucky for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,206 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical 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 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Report

3,006 Total Awards
$4,640 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the fairly large public school handed out 3,006 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College is $4,640. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,560.

Bluegrass Community and Technical 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 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#3

Madisonville Community College

Madisonville, Kentucky
1,083 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Madisonville Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Kentucky. Madisonville Community College is a small public school situated in Madisonville, Kentucky. It awarded 1,083 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they attend Madisonville Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,480.

Online courses are available at Madisonville Community 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, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Madisonville Community College

2,430 Total Awards
$4,640 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Jefferson Community and Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky list. This fairly large public school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 2,430 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,640 in tuition and fees if they attend Jefferson Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,560.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Jefferson Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Jefferson Community and Technical College Report

2,462 Total Awards
$4,640 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Gateway Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Kentucky. Florence, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 2,462 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,640 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gateway. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,560.

One thing to take note of is that Gateway does offer online classes in some areas. 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 Gateway Community and Technical College Report

#6

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
353 Total Awards

Western Kentucky University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. WKU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It awarded 353 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WKU. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#7

Somerset Community College

Somerset, Kentucky
1,551 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Somerset Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Located in Somerset, Kentucky, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,551 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Kentucky who attend SCC full time pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,480.

SCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Somerset Community College Report

1,788 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

West Kentucky Community and Technical 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Paducah, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,788 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Kentucky who attend West Kentucky Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

1,534 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky list. SKYCTC is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,534 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SKYCTC is $4,560. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,480.

SKYCTC 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 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

1,604 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Ashland Community and Technical 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 Ashland, Kentucky, and it awarded 1,604 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they attend ACTC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480.

Some students may be able to take online classes at ACTC. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Ashland Community and Technical College

2,121 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Maysville Community and Technical College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Maysville Community and Technical College is located in Maysville, Kentucky and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,121 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Kentucky who attend Maysville Community and Technical College full time pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480.

Online courses are available at Maysville Community and Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#12

Hopkinsville Community College

Hopkinsville, Kentucky
622 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Hopkinsville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Hopkinsville Community College is a public institution located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 622 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Kentucky who attend Hopkinsville Community College full time pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,480.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hopkinsville Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Hopkinsville Community College

#13

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
81 Total Awards

With a ranking of #13, Sullivan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the small private for-profit school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sullivan University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Sullivan University Report

#14

Henderson Community College

Henderson, Kentucky
309 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Henderson Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Henderson Community College is a small public school situated in Henderson, Kentucky. It awarded 309 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Henderson Community College is $4,560. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,480.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Henderson Community College. 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.

Full Henderson Community College Report

520 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky ranking. Southeast is a public institution located in Cumberland, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 520 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southeast. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,480.

Online courses are available at Southeast, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Report

#16

Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Prestonsburg, Kentucky
719 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Big Sandy Community and Technical 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 #16 on the list. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. It awarded 719 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Big Sandy Community and Technical College is $4,560. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,480.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Big Sandy Community and Technical College

1,861 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Owensboro Community and Technical 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. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 1,861 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Kentucky pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Owensboro Community and Technical College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,480.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Owensboro Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Owensboro Community and Technical College Report

1,044 Total Awards
$4,560 Average Tuition & Fees

Hazard Community and Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Kentucky list. Located in Hazard, Kentucky, the small public school awarded 1,044 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,560 in tuition and fees if they attend Hazard Community and Technical College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,480.

Online courses are available at Hazard Community and Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Hazard Community and Technical College Report

View Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 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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