2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 809 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named North Hennepin Community College the best value school in the United States for trade school students working on their basic certificate. North Hennepin Community College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 578 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $5,050 a year.
North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Hennepin Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Panola College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the United States. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school handed out 150 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,896 a year.
Panola College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Panola College also did well on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 1% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Columbia Southern University is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Orange Beach, Alabama that handed out 134 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $6,015 per year.
Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Columbia Southern University also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools rankings.
Out of the 809 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, Clovis Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Clovis Community College is a public institution located in Clovis, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 365 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $3,224 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Clovis Community College. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at North Seattle College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school awarded 180 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
North Seattle undergraduate students pay an average of $5,547 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Seattle. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, North Seattle is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
With a ranking of #6, Lee College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Lee College is located in Baytown, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,298 basic certificates to qualified students.
Lee College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,302 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lee College. In fact, around 40% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Lee College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools list. Located in Waycross, Georgia, the small public school awarded 1,120 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Coastal Pines Technical College are $4,906 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Coastal Pines Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 39% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Coastal Pines Technical College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Hutchinson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Hutchinson Community College is located in Hutchinson, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 572 basic certificates to qualified students.
Hutchinson Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees each year.
Hutchinson 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 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Hutchinson Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.
Galveston College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools list. Galveston, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 168 students in 2021-2022.
Galveston College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,726 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Galveston College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Galveston College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Bismarck State College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. BSC is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 90 basic certificates to qualified students.
BSC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,227 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BSC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
BSC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Neosho County Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Neosho County Community College is located in Chanute, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 333 basic certificates to qualified students.
Neosho County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Neosho County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Seattle Central College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school handed out 73 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $5,354 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Seattle Central. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Seattle Central also did well on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Rochester Community and Technical College, 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 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rochester Community and Technical College also is in the top 10% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Bossier City, Louisiana, and it awarded 447 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bossier Parish Community College are $4,283 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bossier Parish Community College. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
El Centro College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,819 basic certificates to qualified students.
El Centro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at El Centro 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 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, El Centro College also is in the top 5% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.
College of the Mainland landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school handed out 109 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at COM. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Arkansas State University - Newport landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. ASUN is located in Newport, Arkansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 537 basic certificates to qualified students.
ASUN undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ASUN. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,263 students in 2021-2022.
Madison College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,812 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Madison College, 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 67% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its great value ranking, Madison College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools ranking. North Central Technical College is a public institution located in Wausau, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,571 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,512 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Central Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Central Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
Centralia College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools ranking. Centralia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Washington. It awarded 114 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,381 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Centralia College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Centralia College also is in the top 15% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools ranking.
With a ranking of #20, Camden County College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Blackwood, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school handed out 170 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Camden County College are $3,744 a year.
Online courses are available at Camden County 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 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 133 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,864 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southeast Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
McLennan Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools list. This medium-sized public school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, MCC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools list.
With a ranking of #24, Central Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 1,309 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Community College are $4,710 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 356 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWACC are $4,906 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NWACC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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