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2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 83 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Washburn University the best school in the Plains States Region 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.
In-state students pay an average of $9,126 in tuition and fees if they attend Washburn University full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,130. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,206 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Washburn University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northwest Iowa Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 145 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northwest Iowa Community College is $6,870. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,170. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College accumulate an average of $7,669 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Northwest Iowa 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, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Alexandria Technical & Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Alexandria Technical & Community College is a small public school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 164 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,107 to cover tuition and fees at ATCC. 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 $12,581 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ATCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at State Technical College of Missouri helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Linn, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 152 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend STC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,320. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,019 in student loans.
STC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 83 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school awarded 200 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,765. 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 $12,099 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mitchell Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mitchell Tech is located in Mitchell, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 143 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,524 to cover tuition and fees at Mitchell Tech. 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 $8,371 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mitchell Tech 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.
With a ranking of #7, Central Lakes College - Brainerd did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 247 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Central Lakes College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,140. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,266 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Central Lakes 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 34% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bismarck State College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bismarck State College is a small public school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 172 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,143 in tuition and fees if they attend BSC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,227. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from BSC accumulate an average of $10,097 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
BSC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Hennepin Technical College is a small public school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 475 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Hennepin Technical College is $5,881. 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 $9,314 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Hennepin Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 217 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
LATI does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,718. 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 $10,045 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LATI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Saint Paul College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Paul College is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 320 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Saint Paul College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,318. 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 $11,330 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Saint Paul College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southeast 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 #13 on the list. Southeast Tech is a small public school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 258 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,650 to cover tuition and fees at Southeast Tech. 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 $12,016 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Southeast Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rochester Community and 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 #14 on the list. Rochester Community and Technical College is located in Rochester, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 116 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,670 to cover tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,977 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical 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.
Century College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Century College is a medium-sized public school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 448 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Century College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,105. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Century College accumulate an average of $14,366 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 Century College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 249 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
St Cloud Technical and Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,075. 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 $10,441 in student loans.
St Cloud Technical and 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 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
Dakota County Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rosemount, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 234 students in 2021-2022.
DCTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,419. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from DCTC accumulate an average of $12,454 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
DCTC 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 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota that handed out 258 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,244 to cover tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,274 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northland Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Northland Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #19, Anoka Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 272 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka Technical College is $6,075. 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 $14,538 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Anoka Technical 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 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Hibbing Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hibbing Community College is located in Hibbing, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 225 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $5,970 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hibbing Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,268. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,520 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hibbing Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City ranked #21 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is a very small private for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 282 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,378 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Ranken Technical College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 103 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,960 to cover tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Ranken Technical College accumulate an average of $12,844 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. 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.
With a ranking of #23, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. NICC is a small public school situated in Calmar, Iowa. It awarded 220 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NICC is $6,270. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,990. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,670 in student loans.
Online courses are available at NICC, 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, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Hawkeye Community College is a small public school situated in Waterloo, Iowa. It awarded 248 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hawkeye Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,583. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Hawkeye Community College accumulate an average of $13,958 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.
Southeastern 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 #25 on the list. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, the small public school awarded 130 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,210 in tuition and fees if they attend Southeastern Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,360. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Southeastern Community College accumulate an average of $13,737 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southeastern Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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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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