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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee

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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee

15 Schools Ranked
$4,784 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
4 Total Awards
$9,232 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Middle Tennessee State University to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Tennessee. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Middle Tennessee State University full time pay an average of $9,232 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,264.

Middle Tennessee State University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Report

#2

Motlow State Community College

Tullahoma, Tennessee
94 Total Awards
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Motlow State Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Motlow State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tullahoma, Tennessee that handed out 94 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Motlow is $4,416. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,232.

Motlow 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, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Motlow State Community College Report

#3

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, Tennessee
102 Total Awards
$4,396 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Jackson State Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Jackson State Community College is a small public school located in Jackson, Tennessee that handed out 102 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,396 in tuition and fees if they attend JSCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,076.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at JSCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Jackson State Community College Report

117 Total Awards

Out of the 15 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, Remington College - Memphis Campus landed the # 4 spot on the list. Remington College - Memphis Campus is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 117 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at Remington College - Memphis Campus, 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, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#5

Volunteer State Community College

Gallatin, Tennessee
281 Total Awards
$4,404 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Volunteer State Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Gallatin, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 281 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,404 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend VSCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,220.

Online courses are available at VSCC, 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 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

159 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Southwest Tennessee Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school handed out 159 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwest is $4,430. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,246.

Southwest does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#7

Dyersburg State Community College

Dyersburg, Tennessee
307 Total Awards
$4,410 Average Tuition & Fees

Dyersburg State Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. DSCC is a small public school situated in Dyersburg, Tennessee. It awarded 307 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend DSCC full time pay an average of $4,410 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,226.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DSCC. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Columbia State Community College

Columbia, Tennessee
119 Total Awards
$4,480 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Columbia State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Columbia State Community College is a small public school situated in Columbia, Tennessee. It awarded 119 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Columbia State Community College full time pay an average of $4,480 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,260.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Columbia State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#9

Walters State Community College

Morristown, Tennessee
236 Total Awards
$4,399 Average Tuition & Fees

Walters 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 #9 on the list. Located in Morristown, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 236 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend WSCC full time pay an average of $4,399 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,215.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, Tennessee
314 Total Awards
$4,456 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Pellissippi State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 314 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,456 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pellissippi State Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,272.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pellissippi State Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

Roane State Community College

Harriman, Tennessee
45 Total Awards
$4,724 Average Tuition & Fees

Roane State Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Roane State Community College is a public institution located in Harriman, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Roane State Community College full time pay an average of $4,724 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,540.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Roane State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Roane State Community College

#12

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, Tennessee
184 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees

Chattanooga State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Chattanooga State Community College is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 184 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Chattanooga State Community College full time pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,246.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Chattanooga State Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Chattanooga State Community College

#13

Northeast State Community College

Blountville, Tennessee
169 Total Awards
$4,422 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast State Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Blountville, Tennessee, the medium-sized public school awarded 169 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,422 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northeast State Technical Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,238.

Online courses are available at Northeast State Technical Community College, 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 60% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northeast State Community College

#14

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, Tennessee
401 Total Awards
$4,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Cleveland 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 #14 on the list. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 401 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Cleveland State Community College full time pay an average of $4,400 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,216.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cleveland State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Cleveland State Community College

#15

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, Tennessee
87 Total Awards
$4,372 Average Tuition & Fees

Nashville State Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 87 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Tennessee who attend Nashville State Community College full time pay an average of $4,372 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,188.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Nashville State Community College. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

View Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 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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