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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
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 Minnesota ranking. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Minnesota to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bethel University Minnesota the best school in Minnesota for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Bethel University Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 15 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota is $41,270. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bethel University Minnesota. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Dunwoody College of Technology is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. 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.
The average tuition and fees at Dunwoody College of Technology is $24,611. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Dunwoody College of Technology 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 62% 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 Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. 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.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,765 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rochester Community and Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 123 basic certificate awards 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Anoka Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Anoka Technical College is a small public school situated in Anoka, Minnesota. It awarded 526 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Anoka Technical College, expect to pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Anoka 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. MSU Moorhead is a small public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 102 basic certificates 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #7, Century College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 477 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,105 to cover tuition and fees at Century College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Century College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Northwest Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. NTC is a very small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 37 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at NTC is $6,226. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
NTC 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 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 167 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Northland Community and Technical College, expect to pay an average of $6,244 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Northland 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saint Paul College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Saint Paul College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 448 basic certificates to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,318 to cover tuition and fees at Saint Paul College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Saint Paul College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Hennepin Technical 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 #11 on the list. This small public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 730 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Hennepin Technical College, expect to pay an average of $5,881 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Hennepin 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Rosemount, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 209 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,419 to cover tuition and fees at DCTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DCTC. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 277 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,332.
One thing to take note of is that Minnesota West does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Inver Hills Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. IHCC is a small public school situated in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It awarded 248 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,007 to cover tuition and fees at IHCC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IHCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Ridgewater College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Ridgewater College is a small public school located in Willmar, Minnesota that handed out 39 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Ridgewater College is $6,114. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
One thing to take note of is that Ridgewater College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. ATCC is a public institution located in Alexandria, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 161 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,107. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ATCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Central College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small public school is located in North Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 107 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at South Central College is $6,146. 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 South Central College. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 450 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,098 to cover tuition and fees at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. 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.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #19, Minnesota State College Southeast did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Winona, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,490 to cover tuition and fees at MSC Southeast. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
One thing to take note of is that MSC Southeast does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 43 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
M State does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,900. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
M 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Superior College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. LSC is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 177 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at LSC is $6,404. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Central Lakes College is located in Brainerd, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 106 basic certificates to qualified students.
If you want to attend Central Lakes College, expect to pay an average of $6,140 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at Central Lakes College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 34% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. It awarded 65 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $5,655. 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 Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Normandale Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 199 basic certificates to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,321 to cover tuition and fees at Normandale Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Normandale Community College. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Pine Technical & Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Pine City, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 98 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pine Technical & Community College is $4,643. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,821.
Pine Technical & 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States 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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