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2026 Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Trade undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 4630 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Highlands College Of Montana Tech earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Butte, MT, Highlands College Of Montana Tech is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,127, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. The median Trade program debt is $2,750. More on Highlands College Of Montana Tech
Dakota State University came in at #2 on this year's Trade ranking in the United States. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Dakota State University Trade students take on a median of $28,724 in debt. Read the full report on Dakota State University
A rank of #3 makes Asnuntuck Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Students borrow a median of $5,775 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Asnuntuck Community College
A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Northwestern University
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Dakota one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, 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 more about University Of North Dakota
White Mountains Community College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Berlin, NH, White Mountains Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $15,300. White Mountains Community College Trade students take on a median of $18,250 in debt. Read the full report on White Mountains Community College
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Indiana, PA. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Great Bay Community College placed #9 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Portsmouth, NH, Great Bay Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $17,639 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Great Bay Community College profile
Mt San Antonio College placed #10 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Get the full Mt San Antonio College report
Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Allentown, PA, Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,528 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown
Nhti Concords Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Concord, NH, Nhti Concords Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Nhti Concords Community College Trade students take on a median of $18,046 in debt. See the full Nhti Concords Community College profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #13 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Bay State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. The median Trade program debt is $33,374. Read the full report on Bay State College
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete their Trade program here. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Trade students take on a median of $12,112 in debt. Read more about Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Devry University Illinois did well this year, earning the #17 position. Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit school based in Lisle, IL. About 18% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. The median Trade program debt is $43,684. More on Devry University Illinois
Washburn University placed #18 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Topeka, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Washburn University profile
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. The median Trade program debt is $14,234. See the full Chippewa Valley Technical College profile
North Shore Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. North Shore Community College is a public school based in Danvers, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. The median Trade program debt is $14,145. Get the full North Shore Community College report
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Read the full report on Thomas Jefferson University
Cuesta College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. The median Trade program debt is $18,958. Get the full Cuesta College report
El Centro College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. The median Trade program debt is $14,557. More on El Centro College
Madison Area Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. More on Madison Area Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Ivy Tech Community College Trade students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. Read more about Ivy Tech Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #26 among Trade schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Ferris State University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Ferris State University is a public school based in Big Rapids, MI. Ferris State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical Trade student debt is $23,562. Read the full report on Ferris State University
Herzing University Atlanta landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Atlanta, GA, Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Atlanta graduates 18% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Students borrow a median of $34,030 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Herzing University Atlanta
Napa Valley College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Napa, CA, Napa Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. Get the full Napa Valley College report
Greenfield Community College placed #30 among Trade schools in the United States. Set in Greenfield, MA, Greenfield Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. The median Trade program debt is $12,269. See the full Greenfield Community College profile
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Typical Trade student debt is $12,271. See the full Northwest Iowa Community College profile
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Mount Wachusett Community College is a public school based in Gardner, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Mount Wachusett Community College Trade students take on a median of $11,497 in debt. More on Mount Wachusett Community College
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Klamath Falls, OR. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,196 for out-of-state students. Oregon Institute Of Technology Trade students take on a median of $27,551 in debt. See the full Oregon Institute Of Technology profile
San Bernardino Valley College did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in San Bernardino, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. San Bernardino Valley College Trade students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full San Bernardino Valley College report
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Alexandria, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Alexandria Technical And Community College Trade students take on a median of $14,054 in debt. See the full Alexandria Technical And Community College profile
Butte College placed #36 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Oroville, CA, Butte College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. More on Butte College
Rasmussen College Florida landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Rasmussen College Florida Trade students take on a median of $28,798 in debt. More on Rasmussen College Florida
Cabrillo College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Aptos, CA, Cabrillo College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Typical Trade student debt is $10,425. Read the full report on Cabrillo College
Herzing University Birmingham placed #39 among Trade schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Herzing University Birmingham posts a six-year graduation rate of 25%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Students borrow a median of $29,954 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Herzing University Birmingham
Linn State Technical College placed #40 among Trade schools in the United States. This public school is set in Linn, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Read more about Linn State Technical College
Santa Barbara City College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Typical Trade student debt is $21,090. Read more about Santa Barbara City College
Merced College placed #42 among Trade schools in the United States. Located in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. The median Trade program debt is $9,024. More on Merced College
Akron Institute Of Herzing University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $32,277. Read the full report on Akron Institute Of Herzing University
West Hills College Coalinga ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Coalinga, CA, West Hills College Coalinga is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete their Trade program here. More on West Hills College Coalinga
Rock Valley College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Rock Valley College is a public school based in Rockford, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Rock Valley College Trade students take on a median of $9,236 in debt. More on Rock Valley College
Danville Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Danville Community College is a public school based in Danville, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $9,494. Read the full report on Danville Community College
Rasmussen College Minnesota came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Rasmussen College Minnesota Trade students take on a median of $28,723 in debt. Read more about Rasmussen College Minnesota
Herzing University Madison landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Madison graduates 22% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $30,328. Read the full report on Herzing University Madison
University Of Alaska Anchorage did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Anchorage, AK. About 28% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Typical Trade student debt is $21,787. More on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Eastwick College Hackensack did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Hackensack, NJ, Eastwick College Hackensack is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,075. The median Trade program debt is $18,758. Read more about Eastwick College Hackensack
Related Trade Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Trade Schools (All Levels)
- Best Trade Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Trade Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Trade Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 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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