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 located in Butte, Montana and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 73 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $3,667 in tuition and fees if they attend Highlands College of Montana Tech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dakota State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in Madison, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Students from South Dakota who attend Dakota State full time pay an average of $9,633 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,735.
Dakota State 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.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Asnuntuck Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Asnuntuck Community College is a small public school located in Enfield, Connecticut that handed out 117 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ACC is $4,772. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,172. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $5,911 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ACC. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 910 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 91 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Northwestern does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $63,468. This amount may 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 $32,689 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Northwestern, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 0% 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 North Dakota. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the fairly large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,951 in tuition and fees if they attend UND full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,570. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,922 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UND. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
White Mountains Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. White Mountains Community College is a very small public school located in Berlin, New Hampshire that handed out 49 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from New Hampshire who attend White Mountains Community College full time pay an average of $7,050 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,300.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at White Mountains Community College. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dunwoody College of Technology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Dunwoody College of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 15 undergraduate 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Dunwoody College of Technology accumulate an average of $7,518 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. IUP is a medium-sized public school situated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It awarded 167 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend IUP full time pay an average of $11,320 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,927.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at IUP. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
With a ranking of #9, Great Bay Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Hampshire pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Great Bay Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,450.
Great Bay 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 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Mt. SAC is located in Walnut, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 268 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mt. SAC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,096.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 10% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Lincoln Tech - Allentown is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 228 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,737 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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 is located in Concord, New Hampshire and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 53 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees if they attend NHTI full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,450. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,751 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NHTI. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. This large public school is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and it awarded 2 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from New Jersey pay an average of $16,263 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rutgers New Brunswick. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $33,963.
Rutgers New Brunswick does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bay State College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 4 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Bay State College is $29,500. 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 Bay State College. 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. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 28 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $10,144 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend IUPUI. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,582. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,286 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at IUPUI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Southwest Tech is a public institution located in Fennimore, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 204 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Tech full time. 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
DeVry University - Illinois landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. DeVry University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,903 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,207 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DeVry University - Illinois. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, Washburn University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Topeka, Kansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $9,126 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Washburn University. Out-of-state students 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.
Online courses are available at Washburn University, 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 44% took at least some of their classes online.
Chippewa Valley Technical 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 #19 on the list. CVTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 500 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CVTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,793. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,592 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CVTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Shore Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 50 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Massachusetts who attend North Shore Community College full time pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
North Shore Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 12 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Thomas Jefferson University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $44,200. 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 Thomas Jefferson University does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
Cuesta College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools ranking. Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,268 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cuesta College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348.
One thing to take note of is that Cuesta College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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 located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 468 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $12,885 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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.
With a ranking of #24, Madison Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Madison College is a fairly large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 633 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Madison College. Out-of-state students 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 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 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 11,706 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Indiana who attend Ivy Tech Community College full time pay an average of $4,637 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,927. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $9,816 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 33% 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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