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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas

2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas

47 Schools Ranked
$4,276 Avg Tuition & Fees*

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.

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 Texas ranking. This report analyzed 47 schools in Texas 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 Texas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
150 Total Awards
$3,840 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Panola College the best school in Texas for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school handed out 150 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Panola College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,896.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Panola College. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#2

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
2,819 Total Awards

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means El Centro College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,819 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on El Centro College

#3

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
168 Total Awards
$3,266 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 47 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, Galveston College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Galveston College is a public institution located in Galveston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 168 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,266 in tuition and fees if they attend Galveston College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,726.

Galveston 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Galveston College

346 Total Awards
$4,200 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McLennan Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list. MCC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,910.

Online courses are available at MCC, 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, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full McLennan Community College Report

#5

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
266 Total Awards
$5,009 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Northeast Texas Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. NTCC is located in Mount Pleasant, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 266 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees if they attend NTCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,449.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NTCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northeast Texas Community College Report

104 Total Awards

Remington College - Dallas Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list. Remington College - Dallas Campus is located in Dallas, Texas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 104 basic certificates to qualified students.

If you are interested in distance education, Remington College - Dallas Campus is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Remington College - Dallas Campus Report

#7

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
2,298 Total Awards
$3,882 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Lee College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Baytown, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 2,298 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,882 in tuition and fees if they attend Lee College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,302.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lee College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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72 Total Awards

With a ranking of #8, Remington College - Fort Worth Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it awarded 72 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Remington College - Fort Worth Campus. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Remington College - Fort Worth Campus Report

#9

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
155 Total Awards
$4,056 Average Tuition & Fees

Victoria 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. Victoria College is a public institution located in Victoria, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 155 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend Victoria College full time pay an average of $4,056 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,112.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Victoria College. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Victoria College Report

49 Total Awards

Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list. Webster, Texas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 49 students in 2021-2022.

Since Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus 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.

Read full report on Remington College - Houston Southeast Campus

98 Total Awards

Remington College - North Houston Campus landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Houston, Texas, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 98 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Remington College - North Houston Campus. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#12

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
1,579 Total Awards

Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Lone Star College System is a large public school located in The Woodlands, Texas that handed out 1,579 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at North Harris Montgomery, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Lone Star College System

#13

Midland College

Midland, Texas
374 Total Awards
$4,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Midland College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Midland, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 374 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,650 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Midland College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,880.

Online courses are available at Midland 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.

Read More…

#14

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
138 Total Awards
$3,804 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior 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 Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 138 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,804 in tuition and fees if they attend Wharton County Junior College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,052.

Online courses are available at Wharton County Junior 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 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

1,100 Total Awards
$3,514 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Collin County Community College District is a large public school located in McKinney, Texas that handed out 1,100 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,514 in tuition and fees if they attend Collin County Community College District full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,614.

Collin County Community College District 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 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#16

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
967 Total Awards
$4,530 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas 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. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 967 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

One thing to take note of is that South Texas College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

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216 Total Awards

Texas State Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 216 students in 2021-2022.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at TSTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Texas State Technical College

#18

Weatherford College

Weatherford, Texas
118 Total Awards
$6,300 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Weatherford College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Weatherford College is a medium-sized public school located in Weatherford, Texas that handed out 118 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $6,300 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,610.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Weatherford College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#19

Lamar Institute of Technology

Beaumont, Texas
289 Total Awards
$2,844 Average Tuition & Fees

Lamar Institute of Technology 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. Located in Beaumont, Texas, the small public school handed out 289 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,844 in tuition and fees if they attend Lamar Institute of Technology full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,636.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lamar Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

2,130 Total Awards
$8,580 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Community College District ranked #20 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list. Located in Austin, Texas, the large public school handed out 2,130 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Austin Community College District. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,590.

Austin Community College District 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 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
109 Total Awards
$2,973 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Mainland 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 #21 on the list. College of the Mainland is a small public school located in Texas City, Texas that handed out 109 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,973 in tuition and fees if they attend COM full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,873.

COM does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 41% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full College of the Mainland Report

#22

Temple College

Temple, Texas
126 Total Awards
$4,656 Average Tuition & Fees

Temple College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Temple College is a public institution located in Temple, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 126 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,656 in tuition and fees if they attend Temple College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,576.

Temple 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#23

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
191 Total Awards
$2,834 Average Tuition & Fees

Alvin 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Alvin, Texas, and it awarded 191 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they attend Alvin full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,010.

Online courses are available at Alvin, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Alvin Community College Report

113 Total Awards
$3,748 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Brownsville 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. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Brownsville, Texas. It awarded 113 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,748 in tuition and fees if they attend The University of Texas at Brownsville full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,948.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since The University of Texas at Brownsville does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Brownsville

#25

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
958 Total Awards

Tarrant County College District 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. Tarrant County College is a public institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 958 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Tarrant County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Tarrant County College District Report

Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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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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