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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona

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2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

14 Schools Ranked
$10,559 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona ranking. This report analyzed 14 schools in Arizona 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.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. 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.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona
928 Total Awards
$7,854 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found GateWay Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 928 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GateWay Community College are $7,854 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at GateWay Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% 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, GateWay Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Arizona.

Full GateWay Community College Report

#2

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
486 Total Awards
$9,192 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Eastern Arizona College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Arizona. Thatcher, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 486 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern Arizona College are $9,192 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Eastern Arizona College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 24% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Eastern Arizona College is ranked #4 for overall quality in Arizona.

Full Eastern Arizona College Report

173 Total Awards
$7,854 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Chandler-Gilbert Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Arizona. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 173 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College are $7,854 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Chandler-Gilbert Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Chandler-Gilbert Community College

#4

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
678 Total Awards
$7,854 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mesa Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona list. Mesa Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Mesa, Arizona. It awarded 678 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Mesa Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,854 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mesa Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#5

Mohave Community College

Kingman, Arizona
302 Total Awards
$6,996 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Mohave Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Arizona. Located in Kingman, Arizona, the small public school handed out 302 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $6,996 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#6

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
415 Total Awards
$7,854 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Phoenix College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Phoenix College is a medium-sized public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 415 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Phoenix College are $7,854 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Phoenix College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Phoenix College Report

#7

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
248 Total Awards
$3,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Arizona College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Pinal County Community College is located in Coolidge, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 248 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pinal County Community College are $3,000 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Pinal County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.

Pinal County Community College also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Arizona list, coming in at #3.

Full Central Arizona College Report

#8

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
872 Total Awards
$7,614 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Pima Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Pima County Community College District is located in Tucson, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 872 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pima County Community College District are $7,614 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Pima County Community College District does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Pima Community College Report

204 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Cochise County Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Arizona ranking. Cochise College is located in Sierra Vista, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 204 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cochise College are $6,000 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cochise College. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Cochise County Community College District Report

#10

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
617 Total Awards
$7,854 Average Tuition & Fees

Glendale Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Glendale Community College is a fairly large public school located in Glendale, Arizona that handed out 617 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Glendale Community College are $7,854 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Glendale Community College. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Glendale Community College Report

#11

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
743 Total Awards
$9,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Yavapai 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 #11 on the list. Yavapai College is a medium-sized public school situated in Prescott, Arizona. It awarded 743 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Yavapai College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,340 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Yavapai College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Yavapai College

#12

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
148 Total Awards
$9,570 Average Tuition & Fees

Arizona Western 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. AWC is a public institution located in Yuma, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 148 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

AWC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,570 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at AWC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Arizona Western College

#13

University of Phoenix - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
4,818 Total Awards
$9,552 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. UOPX - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 4,818 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

UOPX - Arizona undergraduate students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UOPX - Arizona. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 100% 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, UOPX - Arizona is ranked #1 for overall quality in Arizona.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - Arizona

1,172 Total Awards
$30,592 Average Tuition & Fees

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,172 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ASU - Tempe are $30,592 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ASU - Tempe. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Arizona list.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 14 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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