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