Find Trade Colleges

Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region

2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region

74 Schools Ranked
$3,579 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$10,554 Avg Student Debt

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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 in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 74 schools in the Southwest Region to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
468 Total Awards
$12,885 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named El Centro College the best school in the Southwest Region for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 468 students in 2021-2022.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $12,885 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

El Centro College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full El Centro College Report

896 Total Awards
$10,227 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 74 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas State Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list. TSTC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 896 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $10,227 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that TSTC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

102 Total Awards
$12,160 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Remington College - Dallas Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 102 students in 2021-2022.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,160 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, Remington College - Dallas Campus is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Full Remington College - Dallas Campus Report

#4

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
112 Total Awards
$3,882 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,420 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Lee College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 112 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lee College is $3,882. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,302. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,420 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lee College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lee College

1,296 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,415 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 74 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Chandler-Gilbert Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a fairly large public school located in Chandler, Arizona that handed out 1,296 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,415 in student loans.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#6

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
153 Total Awards
$3,266 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,060 Avg Student Debt

Galveston College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school handed out 153 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,266 in tuition and fees if they attend Galveston College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,726. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Galveston College accumulate an average of $11,060 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Galveston College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Galveston College Report

#7

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
399 Total Awards
$3,840 Average Tuition & Fees

Panola 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 #7 on the list. This small public school is located in Carthage, Texas, and it awarded 399 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Panola College is $3,840. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,896.

One thing to take note of is that Panola College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Panola College

941 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Estrella Mountain Community College is a public institution located in Avondale, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 941 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend Estrella Mountain Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854.

One thing to take note of is that Estrella Mountain Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#9

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
309 Total Awards
$12,528 Avg Student Debt

Central Arizona College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Coolidge, Arizona, the small public school handed out 309 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of $12,528 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Pinal County Community College. In 2020-2021 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

63 Total Awards
$11,223 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Remington College - Fort Worth Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it awarded 63 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,223 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, Remington College - Fort Worth Campus is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on Remington College - Fort Worth Campus

169 Total Awards
$4,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,398 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, McLennan Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. MCC is located in Waco, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 169 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Students from Texas who attend MCC full time pay an average of $4,200 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,910. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,398 in student loans.

MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#12

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
498 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,660 Avg Student Debt

North Central Texas College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. North Central Texas College is a medium-sized public school located in Gainesville, Texas that handed out 498 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NCTC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,200. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,660 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at NCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#13

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
98 Total Awards
$4,056 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,804 Avg Student Debt

Victoria College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Victoria, Texas, the small public school awarded 98 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,056 in tuition and fees if they attend Victoria College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,112. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,804 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Victoria College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Victoria College Report

#14

Angelina College

Lufkin, Texas
325 Total Awards
$4,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Angelina College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. AC is a small public school situated in Lufkin, Texas. It awarded 325 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at AC is $4,740. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,150.

Online courses are available at AC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Angelina College Report

#16

Temple College

Temple, Texas
42 Total Awards
$4,656 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,661 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Temple College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Temple, Texas, the small public school awarded 42 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,656 in tuition and fees if they attend Temple College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,576. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,661 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Temple College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Temple College Report

#17

Northland Pioneer College

Holbrook, Arizona
111 Total Awards
$2,428 Average Tuition & Fees

Northland Pioneer College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. NPC is located in Holbrook, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 111 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $2,428 in tuition and fees if they attend NPC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,851.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NPC. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Northland Pioneer College

#18

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
483 Total Awards
$4,530 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in McAllen, Texas, and it awarded 483 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

South Texas 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, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#19

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
147 Total Awards
$3,804 Average Tuition & Fees
$6,641 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Wharton County Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 147 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,804 in tuition and fees if they attend Wharton County Junior College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,052. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $6,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Wharton County Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

790 Total Awards
$3,514 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 790 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,514 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Collin County Community College District. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,614.

Collin County Community College District 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 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#21

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
432 Total Awards
$3,168 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,393 Avg Student Debt

Amarillo College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 432 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees if they attend Amarillo College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,704. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,393 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Amarillo College. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Amarillo College Report

#22

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
84 Total Awards

Eastern Arizona College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the small public school handed out 84 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Online courses are available at Eastern Arizona College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 24% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Eastern Arizona College

#23

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
631 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,459 Avg Student Debt

Phoenix College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the medium-sized public school handed out 631 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Phoenix College is $2,070. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,459 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Phoenix 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.

Read More…

#24

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
1,029 Total Awards
$8,493 Avg Student Debt

Lone Star College System landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. North Harris Montgomery is a public institution located in The Woodlands, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,029 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $8,493 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that North Harris Montgomery does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lone Star College System

#25

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
309 Total Awards
$3,864 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,998 Avg Student Debt

Tyler Junior College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 309 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tyler Junior College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,440. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,998 in student loans.

Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Tyler Junior College Report

View Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.