2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 91 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best basic certificate programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bismarck State College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Plains States Region . BSC is a public institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BSC is $5,143. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,227.
BSC 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 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 91 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Hennepin Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 578 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at North Hennepin Community College is $5,050. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Minnesota - Crookston. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Crookston, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,010 to cover tuition and fees at UMN Crookston. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UMN Crookston. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Bethel University Minnesota helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Plains States Region . This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Bethel University Minnesota does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $41,270. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at Bethel University Minnesota, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 91 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the # 5 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 257 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,951 in tuition and fees if they attend UND full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,570.
UND 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 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dunwoody College of Technology landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Dunwoody College of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $24,611 to cover tuition and fees at Dunwoody College of Technology. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Online courses are available at Dunwoody College of Technology, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit institution located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 355 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $13,765. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 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. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 183 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $15,859 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UMN Twin Cities. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $35,099.
Online courses are available at UMN Twin Cities, 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.
Rochester Community and Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 123 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,670 to cover tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Rochester 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Anoka Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 526 students in 2021-2022.
Anoka Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,075. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
One thing to take note of is that Anoka Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Ranken Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 219 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Ranken Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,960. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Ranken 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 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is a very small private for-profit school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 14 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Since Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City 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.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #13 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. MSU Moorhead is a small public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 102 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,236 in tuition and fees if they attend MSU Moorhead full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,072.
MSU Moorhead does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Central Missouri came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 317 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UCM is $9,410. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,450.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UCM. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,718 to cover tuition and fees at LATI. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LATI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Century College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 477 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Century College, expect to pay an average of $6,105 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
One thing to take note of is that Century College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hawkeye Community College is a public institution located in Waterloo, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 81 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees if they attend Hawkeye Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,583.
Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
Northwest Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This very small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,226 to cover tuition and fees at NTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Online courses are available at NTC, 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, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Kansas 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. Rasmussen University - Kansas is a private for-profit institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 65 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Kansas is $13,958. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Kansas does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota ranked #20 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a very small private for-profit school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 65 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - North Dakota is $12,285. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - North Dakota, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Kansas State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. K -State is a fairly large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 370 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $10,448 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend K -State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $26,519.
K -State 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 44% took at least some of their classes online.
North Central Kansas Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This very small public school is located in Beloit, Kansas, and it awarded 132 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $8,492 to cover tuition and fees at North Central Kansas Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
North Central Kansas 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 15% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 63 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at St. Cloud State University is $10,117. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,001.
St. Cloud State University 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 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Southeast Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Tech is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 17 basic certificates to qualified students.
Southeast Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,650. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southeast Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #25 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 131 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota State Mankato full time pay an average of $9,444 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,814.
Minnesota State Mankato 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 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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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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