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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio

2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

29 Schools Ranked
$11,451 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 29 schools in Ohio 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.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

104 Total Awards
$8,742 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found James A Rhodes State College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Ohio. Located in Lima, Ohio, the small public school awarded 104 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rhodes State College are $8,742 per year.

Rhodes State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Rhodes State College also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio rankings.

Full James A Rhodes State College Report

211 Total Awards
$13,596 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at University of Cincinnati - Clermont College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Ohio. University of Cincinnati - Clermont College is a medium-sized public school located in Batavia, Ohio that handed out 211 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UC Clermont College are $13,596 per year.

Online courses are available at UC Clermont 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, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UC Clermont College is ranked #1 for overall quality in Ohio.

Full University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Report

7,572 Total Awards
$8,316 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Sinclair Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Ohio. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 7,572 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Sinclair Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,316 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sinclair Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Sinclair Community College

#4

Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, Ohio
139 Total Awards
$9,105 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Lakeland Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Ohio. Located in Kirtland, Ohio, the small public school awarded 139 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Lakeland undergraduate students pay an average of $9,105 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lakeland does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lakeland Community College

#5

Clark State Community College

Springfield, Ohio
627 Total Awards
$7,568 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Clark State Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio list. This small public school is located in Springfield, Ohio, and it awarded 627 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Clark State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,568 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at Clark State Community 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 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Clark State Community College Report

416 Total Awards
$9,558 Average Tuition & Fees

Cincinnati State Technical and 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 #6 on the list. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 416 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cincinnati State are $9,558 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cincinnati State does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report

879 Total Awards
$8,601 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Lorain County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Elyria, Ohio, and it awarded 879 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCCC are $8,601 a year.

LCCC 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, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Stark State College

North Canton, Ohio
737 Total Awards
$7,644 Average Tuition & Fees

Stark State College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in North Canton, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 737 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Stark State College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,644 in tuition and fees each year.

Stark State College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Stark State College

#9

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio
309 Total Awards
$10,022 Average Tuition & Fees

Owens 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 #9 on the list. Located in Perrysburg, Ohio, the medium-sized public school awarded 309 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Owens State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,022 in tuition and fees each year.

Owens State Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Owens State Community College also took the #4 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio rankings.

Read More…

175 Total Awards
$7,776 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Ohio Technical 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 #10 on the list. Located in Newark, Ohio, the small public school awarded 175 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at COTC are $7,776 a year.

One thing to take note of is that COTC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

226 Total Awards
$7,851 Average Tuition & Fees

Edison State Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Edison Community College is a small public school situated in Piqua, Ohio. It awarded 226 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Edison Community College are $7,851 a year.

Edison 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#12

Belmont College

St Clairsville, Ohio
78 Total Awards
$7,420 Average Tuition & Fees

Belmont 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 #12 on the list. This very small public school is located in St Clairsville, Ohio, and it awarded 78 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Belmont College are $7,420 per year.

Online courses are available at Belmont 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 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

47 Total Awards
$8,930 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest State 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 #13 on the list. Northwest State Community College is a small public school located in Archbold, Ohio that handed out 47 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northwest State Community College are $8,930 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Northwest State Community College. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northwest State Community College

447 Total Awards
$8,736 Average Tuition & Fees

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 447 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Cuyahoga Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $8,736 in tuition and fees each year.

Cuyahoga 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. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Cuyahoga Community College District

42 Total Awards
$4,152 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington State Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Marietta, Ohio, the small public school handed out 42 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSCC are $4,152 a year.

Online courses are available at WSCC, 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 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Washington State Community College

22 Total Awards
$15,588 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College is a medium-sized public school located in Blue Ash, Ohio that handed out 22 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UC Blue Ash College are $15,588 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UC Blue Ash College. 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.

UC Blue Ash College also claimed a spot on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#17

Zane State College

Zanesville, Ohio
47 Total Awards
$11,166 Average Tuition & Fees

Zane State 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 #17 on the list. This small public school is located in Zanesville, Ohio, and it awarded 47 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Zane State College are $11,166 a year.

Zane State 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 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

North Central State College

Mansfield, Ohio
139 Total Awards
$11,384 Average Tuition & Fees

North Central State College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking. Mansfield, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 139 students in 2021-2022.

North Central State College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,384 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at North Central State College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full North Central State College Report

#19

Kent State University at Tuscarawas

New Philadelphia, Ohio
18 Total Awards
$15,910 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Tuscarawas came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking. New Philadelphia, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 18 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kent State University at Tuscarawas are $15,910 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#20

Eastern Gateway Community College

Steubenville, Ohio
13 Total Awards
$8,022 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school located in Steubenville, Ohio that handed out 13 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern Gateway Community College are $8,022 a year.

Eastern Gateway Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Eastern Gateway Community College Report

1 Total Awards
$15,910 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Salem came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Ohio ranking. Salem, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kent State University at Salem are $15,910 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kent State University at Salem does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Kent State University at Salem Report

155 Total Awards
$10,124 Average Tuition & Fees

Terra State Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Fremont, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 155 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Terra Community College are $10,124 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Terra Community College. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

68 Total Awards
$20,287 Average Tuition & Fees

Kent State University at Kent 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 #23 on the list. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 68 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kent State are $20,287 per year.

Kent State 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, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Kent State University at Kent Report

#24

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
7 Total Awards
$20,671 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Toledo 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 #24 on the list. Located in Toledo, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 7 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

University of Toledo undergraduate students pay an average of $20,671 in tuition and fees each year.

University of Toledo 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, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Toledo Report

59 Total Awards
$15,500 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 59 students in 2021-2022.

University of Akron Main Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $15,500 in tuition and fees each year.

University of Akron Main Campus 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 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Akron Main Campus

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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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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