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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado

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2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

16 Schools Ranked
$14,322 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 Colorado ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Colorado to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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 Colorado

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
1,290 Total Awards
$16,135 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Red Rocks Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Colorado. Red Rocks Community College is a public institution located in Lakewood, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,290 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Red Rocks Community College are $16,135 a year.

Red Rocks Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Red Rocks Community College also took the #1 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado rankings.

Read full report on Red Rocks Community College

#2

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
819 Total Awards
$10,850 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aims Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado list. Aims Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 819 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Aims Community College are $10,850 per year.

Online courses are available at Aims 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, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#3

Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad, Colorado
339 Total Awards
$8,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 16 schools in Colorado that were part of this year’s value ranking, Trinidad State Junior College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Trinidad State Junior College is a small public school located in Trinidad, Colorado that handed out 339 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Trinidad State Junior College are $8,360 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Trinidad State Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 15% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Trinidad State Junior College also took the #2 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado rankings.

Read More…

#4

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
1,253 Total Awards
$15,714 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pikes Peak Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado list. PPCC is a fairly large public school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 1,253 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PPCC are $15,714 a year.

PPCC 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 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

PPCC also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado rankings.

Full Pikes Peak Community College Report

#5

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
3,473 Total Awards
$15,776 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Front Range Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado list. Westminster, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 3,473 students in 2021-2022.

FRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,776 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FRCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

FRCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado list.

Full Front Range Community College Report

#6

Morgan Community College

Fort Morgan, Colorado
69 Total Awards
$15,579 Average Tuition & Fees

Morgan Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado ranking. Fort Morgan, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 69 students in 2021-2022.

Morgan Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,579 in tuition and fees each year.

Morgan Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Morgan Community College

#7

Community College of Aurora

Aurora, Colorado
298 Total Awards
$15,832 Average Tuition & Fees

Community College of Aurora landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Aurora, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 298 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CCA are $15,832 per year.

CCA does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Community College of Aurora Report

#8

Otero Junior College

La Junta, Colorado
94 Total Awards
$6,730 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Otero Junior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Otero JC is a very small public school situated in La Junta, Colorado. It awarded 94 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,730 per year.

Online courses are available at Otero JC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 32% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Otero Junior College

#9

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
647 Total Awards
$11,820 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Colorado Mountain College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 647 basic certificates to qualified students.

Colorado Mountain College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,820 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Colorado Mountain College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Colorado Mountain College also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado list, coming in at #5.

Full Colorado Mountain College Report

#10

Lamar Community College

Lamar, Colorado
79 Total Awards
$6,720 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Lamar Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This very small public school is located in Lamar, Colorado, and it awarded 79 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $6,720 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 19% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Lamar Community College

#11

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo, Colorado
1,815 Total Awards
$16,275 Average Tuition & Fees

Pueblo Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado list. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,815 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pueblo Community College are $16,275 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Pueblo Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Pueblo Community College Report

#12

Northeastern Junior College

Sterling, Colorado
273 Total Awards
$7,691 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Junior College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Sterling, Colorado, and it awarded 273 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NJC are $7,691 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NJC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Northeastern Junior College

#13

Community College of Denver

Denver, Colorado
408 Total Awards
$16,235 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Community College of Denver did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Denver, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 408 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

CCD undergraduate students pay an average of $16,235 in tuition and fees each year.

CCD does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Community College of Denver Report

#14

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
383 Total Awards
$23,019 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Grand Junction, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 383 students in 2021-2022.

Colorado Mesa undergraduate students pay an average of $23,019 in tuition and fees each year.

Colorado Mesa does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Colorado Mesa University Report

114 Total Awards
$28,092 Average Tuition & Fees

Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado ranking. MSU Denver is a fairly large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 114 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSU Denver are $28,092 a year.

Online courses are available at MSU Denver, 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 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#16

Intellitec College - Grand Junction

Grand Junction, Colorado

With a ranking of #16, Intellitec College - Grand Junction did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Intellitec College - Grand Junction is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 180 basic certificates to qualified students.

Intellitec College - Grand Junction undergraduate students pay an average of $0 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 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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