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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee

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. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 4 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Middle Tennessee State University is $9,232. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

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#2

Motlow State Community College

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Motlow State Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Motlow is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 94 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Tennessee who attend Motlow full time pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,232.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Motlow does offer online classes for certain majors. 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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Jackson State Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, the small public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.

Online courses are available at JSCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Jackson State Community College Report

117 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Remington College - Memphis Campus is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 117 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Remington College - Memphis Campus. 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.

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#5

Volunteer State Community College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Volunteer State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. Volunteer State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Gallatin, Tennessee that handed out 281 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,404 in tuition and fees if they attend VSCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,220.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since VSCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Volunteer State Community College Report

159 Total Awards
$4,430 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwest Tennessee 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 #6 on the list. Southwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 159 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southwest. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,246.

Online courses are available at Southwest, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Southwest Tennessee Community College Report

#7

Dyersburg State Community College

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

Dyersburg State Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. DSCC is a small public school situated in Dyersburg, Tennessee. It awarded 307 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DSCC is $4,410. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,226.

Some students may be able to take online classes at DSCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

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#8

Columbia State Community College

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

Columbia State Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Columbia State Community College is located in Columbia, Tennessee and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 119 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Columbia State Community College is $4,480. Out-of-state students 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.

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#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 handed out 236 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSCC is $4,399. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,215.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WSCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

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#10

Pellissippi State Community College

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

Pellissippi State Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. 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.

Students from Tennessee who attend Pellissippi State Community College full time pay an average of $4,456 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,272.

Pellissippi State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Pellissippi State Community College

#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. This small public school is located in Harriman, Tennessee, and it awarded 45 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,724 in tuition and fees if they attend Roane State Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,540.

Roane State Community 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 52% took at least some of their classes online.

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#12

Chattanooga State Community College

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

Chattanooga 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 #12 on the list. Chattanooga State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 184 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Tennessee pay an average of $4,430 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chattanooga State Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,246.

Chattanooga State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Chattanooga State Community College Report

#13

Northeast State Community College

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

With a ranking of #13, Northeast State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Northeast State Technical Community College is located in Blountville, Tennessee and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 169 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northeast State Technical Community College is $4,422. 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.

Full Northeast State Community College Report

#14

Cleveland State Community College

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

Cleveland State Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee list. This small public school is located in Cleveland, Tennessee, and it awarded 401 basic certificates 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.

Cleveland State Community 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 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Nashville State Community College

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

Nashville State Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Tennessee ranking. Nashville State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 87 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Nashville State Community College is $4,372. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,188.

Online courses are available at Nashville State 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 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Nashville State Community College Report

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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