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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado

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 2023 rankings named Red Rocks Community College the best value school in Colorado for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Red Rocks Community College is located in Lakewood, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,290 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Red Rocks Community College are $16,135 per year.

Red Rocks Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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

Full Red Rocks Community College Report

#2

Aims Community College

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Aims Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Greeley, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 819 students in 2021-2022.

Aims Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,850 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Aims Community College. 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 located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 339 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trinidad State Junior College are $8,360 a year.

Trinidad State Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 15% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Trinidad State Junior College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado list.

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#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. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,253 students in 2021-2022.

PPCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,714 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at PPCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, PPCC is ranked #3 for overall quality in Colorado.

Read full report on Pikes Peak Community College

#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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at FRCC. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

FRCC also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Colorado list, coming in at #4.

Read full report on Front Range Community College

#6

Morgan Community College

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

Morgan 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. Morgan Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Morgan, Colorado. It awarded 69 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

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

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Morgan Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#7

Community College of Aurora

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

With a ranking of #7, Community College of Aurora 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 Aurora, Colorado, and it awarded 298 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

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

Some students may be able to take online classes at CCA. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Otero Junior College

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

Otero Junior College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado ranking. Otero JC is located in La Junta, Colorado and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 94 basic certificates to qualified students.

Otero JC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,730 in tuition and fees each year.

Otero JC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Otero Junior College Report

#9

Colorado Mountain College

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

Colorado Mountain College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 647 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Colorado Mountain College are $11,820 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Colorado Mountain College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Colorado Mountain College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Colorado.

Read full report on Colorado Mountain College

#10

Lamar Community College

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

Lamar Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado ranking. This very small public school is located in Lamar, Colorado, and it awarded 79 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LCC are $6,720 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at LCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 19% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Lamar Community College Report

#11

Pueblo Community College

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

With a ranking of #11, Pueblo Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. 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.

Online courses are available at Pueblo Community 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 33% took at least some of their classes online.

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. Located in Sterling, Colorado, the small public school awarded 273 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

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

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NJC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#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. Community College of Denver is a medium-sized public school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 408 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CCD are $16,235 a year.

CCD 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#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. Colorado Mesa is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 383 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado Mesa are $23,019 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Colorado Mesa does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

114 Total Awards
$28,092 Average Tuition & Fees

Metropolitan State University of Denver ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Colorado list. MSU Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 114 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU Denver are $28,092 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MSU Denver does offer online classes for certain majors. 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

Intellitec College - Grand Junction 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 #16 on the list. 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.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Intellitec College - Grand Junction are $0 a year.

Read More…

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

View Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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