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2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools
There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
The Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 910 schools in the United States to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Highlands College of Montana Tech to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the United States. Highlands College of Montana Tech is a very small public school situated in Butte, Montana. It awarded 73 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,667 in tuition and fees if they attend Highlands College of Montana Tech full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,642. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $4,025 in student loans.
Highlands College of Montana Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 29% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 910 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Dakota State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Dakota State is located in Madison, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Students from South Dakota who attend Dakota State full time pay an average of $9,633 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,735.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Dakota State. In fact, around 72% 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 Asnuntuck Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. This small public school is located in Enfield, Connecticut, and it awarded 117 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Connecticut who attend ACC full time pay an average of $4,772 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,172. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $5,911 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ACC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 91 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Northwestern is $63,468. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Northwestern accumulate an average of $32,689 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northwestern does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 0% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UND is $10,951. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,570. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from UND accumulate an average of $10,922 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UND. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
White Mountains Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Berlin, New Hampshire, the very small public school handed out 49 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at White Mountains Community College is $7,050. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,300.
White Mountains 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. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dunwoody College of Technology landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Dunwoody College of Technology is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 15 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,518 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 167 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at IUP is $11,320. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,927.
IUP 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 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
Great Bay Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Students from New Hampshire who attend Great Bay Community College full time pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,450.
Online courses are available at Great Bay Community College, 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, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. This large public school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 268 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mt. SAC is $1,352. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,096.
Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 228 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,737 in student loans.
NHTI-Concord’s Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. NHTI-Concord’s Community College is a small public school located in Concord, New Hampshire that handed out 53 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NHTI is $7,200. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,450. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,751 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that NHTI 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.
With a ranking of #13, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rutgers New Brunswick is $16,263. Out-of-state students pay an average of $33,963.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rutgers New Brunswick. In fact, around 85% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bay State College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Bay State College is a very small private for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 4 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $29,500 to cover tuition and fees at Bay State College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Bay State 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 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #15 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 28 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend IUPUI full time pay an average of $10,144 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $32,582. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $19,286 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at IUPUI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Report
With a ranking of #16, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a small public school located in Fennimore, Wisconsin that handed out 204 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Wisconsin who attend Southwest Tech full time pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,731. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,120 in student loans.
Southwest Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, DeVry University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 2,903 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend DeVry University - Illinois, expect to pay an average of $15,032 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,207 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Washburn University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 75 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,126 in tuition and fees if they attend Washburn University full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,130. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Washburn University accumulate an average of $13,206 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Washburn University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. CVTC is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 500 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,793. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,592 in student loans.
CVTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
With a ranking of #20, North Shore Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. North Shore Community College is located in Danvers, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 50 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they attend North Shore Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,920. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,160 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Shore Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 12 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Thomas Jefferson University is $44,200. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Thomas Jefferson 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. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuesta College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,268 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,340. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cuesta College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. El Centro College is a large public school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 468 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at El Centro College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Madison College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 633 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,812. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Madison College accumulate an average of $12,509 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Madison College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 11,706 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ivy Tech Community College is $4,637. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,927. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,816 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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