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2026 Best Trade Schools in The Plains States
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in The Plains States? Our ranking highlights 480 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 404 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in The Plains States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Stephens College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in The Plains States. Set in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Graduates carry a median of $33,326 in student loans. Read more about Stephens College
The strong Trade programs at Ottawa University Online earned it the #2 place in The Plains States. Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit school based in Overland Park, KS. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,296. Typical Trade student debt is $30,758. See the full Ottawa University Online profile
You'll be in good company at Waldorf College, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Read the full report on Waldorf College
Out of the 404 schools in The Plains States in this year's ranking, Dakota State University landed the #4 spot. Based in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Dakota State University Trade students take on a median of $28,724 in debt. Get the full Dakota State University report
A rank of #5 makes Ottawa University Kansas City one of the top choices in The Plains States. Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit school based in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,296. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Read the full report on Ottawa University Kansas City
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Trade program debt is $21,818. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Bemidji State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Bemidji, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Bemidji State University Trade students take on a median of $25,819 in debt. See the full Bemidji State University profile
Bismarck State College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. More on Bismarck State College
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #11 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Located in Crookston, MN, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Crookston posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,288. University Of Minnesota Crookston Trade students take on a median of $26,661 in debt. See the full University Of Minnesota Crookston profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #12 spot in The Plains States this year. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. The median Trade program debt is $22,386. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Winona State University placed #13 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. More on Winona State University
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
Bellevue University placed #15 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Set in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,873. Typical Trade student debt is $27,852. Read the full report on Bellevue University
Ranken Technical College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Ranken Technical College graduates 31% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. Typical Trade student debt is $13,989. Get the full Ranken Technical College report
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
Dunwoody College Of Technology did well this year, earning the #18 position. Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Dunwoody College Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Dunwoody College Of Technology Trade students take on a median of $18,973 in debt. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical Trade student debt is $17,553. More on Washington University In St Louis
Capella University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. Capella University Trade students take on a median of $35,998 in debt. More on Capella University
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #21 among Trade schools in The Plains States. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Rockhurst University landed the #22 spot in The Plains States this year. Located in Kansas City, MO, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,966. Typical Trade student debt is $24,111. See the full Rockhurst University profile
St Catherine University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Catherine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. St Catherine University Trade students take on a median of $29,883 in debt. See the full St Catherine University profile
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #24 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school based in Sheldon, IA. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. The median Trade program debt is $12,271. Read the full report on Northwest Iowa Community College
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #25 spot in The Plains States this year. Located in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. See the full Alexandria Technical And Community College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in The Plains States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #26 among Trade schools in The Plains States. This private for-profit school is set in St. Cloud, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Students borrow a median of $28,723 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Rasmussen College Minnesota report
Metropolitan State University landed the #27 spot in The Plains States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Metropolitan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Metropolitan State University Trade students take on a median of $30,822 in debt. Read more about Metropolitan State University
Creighton University placed #28 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Creighton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. Creighton University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,856. The median Trade program debt is $25,831. See the full Creighton University profile
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Minnesota State University Mankato Trade students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
University Of Mary ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Get the full University Of Mary report
University Of North Dakota came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. University Of North Dakota Trade students take on a median of $25,110 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,500. Graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Set in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Read more about North Dakota State College Of Science
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit school based in Orange City, IA. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Northwestern College Iowa Trade students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern College Iowa
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #35 spot in The Plains States this year. Based in Moorhead, MN, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Minnesota State University Moorhead Trade students take on a median of $24,447 in debt. More on Minnesota State University Moorhead
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,718. Typical Trade student debt is $13,674. More on Lake Area Technical Institute
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #37 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Set in Rochester, MN, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,389. Graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Get the full Rochester Community And Technical College report
Anoka Technical College landed the #39 spot in The Plains States this year. This public school is set in Anoka, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. The median Trade program debt is $18,408. Get the full Anoka Technical College report
Washburn University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Topeka, KS. Washburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Washburn University Trade students take on a median of $21,175 in debt. Read the full report on Washburn University
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #41 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Based in Duluth, MN, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,755. Get the full The College Of Saint Scholastica report
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Southeast Technical Institute
Pittsburg State University landed the #43 spot in The Plains States this year. Set in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Pittsburg State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. The median Trade program debt is $22,669. See the full Pittsburg State University profile
Linn State Technical College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Linn, MO, Linn State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $11,042. Read the full report on Linn State Technical College
North Hennepin Community College placed #45 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $21,241. Read more about North Hennepin Community College
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,600. Concordia University Saint Paul Trade students take on a median of $29,026 in debt. More on Concordia University Saint Paul
Rasmussen College North Dakota did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,404. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Rasmussen College North Dakota report
University Of South Dakota came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. University Of South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $26,322. Read more about University Of South Dakota
Kansas State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. See the full Kansas State University profile
South Dakota State University placed #50 among Trade schools in The Plains States. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete their Trade program here. See the full South Dakota State University profile
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #51 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Duluth, MN. University Of Minnesota Duluth posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $24,624. Read more about University Of Minnesota Duluth
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Region · 404 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 480 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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