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2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
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 in Texas to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 47 schools in Texas 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. 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.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used 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 Texas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Galveston College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Texas. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school awarded 168 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate 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 best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Galveston College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Texas.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Panola College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas list. Panola College is a public institution located in Carthage, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 150 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Panola College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,896 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Panola 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 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Panola College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list.
Out of the 47 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s value ranking, Lamar State College - Port Arthur landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Port Arthur, Texas, the small public school awarded 165 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Lamar State College - Port Arthur undergraduate students pay an average of $7,890 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lamar State College - Port Arthur. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 30% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means El Centro College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 2,819 students in 2021-2022.
El Centro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year.
El Centro 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 70% took at least some of their classes online.
El Centro College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list.
Out of the 47 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s value ranking, Lamar Institute of Technology landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Beaumont, Texas, the small public school awarded 289 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Lamar Institute of Technology undergraduate students pay an average of $12,636 in tuition and fees each year.
Lamar Institute of Technology does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Collin County Community College District 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. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,100 basic certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,614 per year.
Collin County 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 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alvin Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Alvin, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 191 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 per year.
Alvin 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
McLennan Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $5,910 a year.
One thing to take note of is that MCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
MCC also took the #4 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas rankings.
With a ranking of #9, College of the Mainland did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Texas City, Texas, and it awarded 109 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 a year.
One thing to take note of is that COM does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lee 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. Lee College is a medium-sized public school located in Baytown, Texas that handed out 2,298 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lee College. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Lee College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list.
Wharton County Junior 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Wharton, Texas, and it awarded 138 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wharton County Junior College are $5,052 a year.
Wharton County Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Victoria College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Victoria, Texas, the small public school handed out 155 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Victoria College are $5,112 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Victoria College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Victoria College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list.
With a ranking of #13, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Amarillo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 537 students in 2021-2022.
Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year.
Amarillo 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 fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Tarrant County College District did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 958 students in 2021-2022.
Tarrant County College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,235 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tarrant County College. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hill College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas list. Hill College is located in Hillsboro, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 216 basic certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hill College are $4,462 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hill College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas ranking. San Jacinto Community College is a large public school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 640 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at San Jacinto College. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northeast Texas Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas ranking. Northeast Texas Community College is a small public school located in Mount Pleasant, Texas that handed out 266 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTCC are $6,449 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NTCC. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
NTCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Texas list.
With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at Brownsville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a public institution located in Brownsville, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 113 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Brownsville are $4,948 per year.
Online courses are available at The University of Texas at Brownsville, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, Midland College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Midland College is a public institution located in Midland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 374 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Midland College are $5,880 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Midland College. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lone Star College System came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas ranking. The Woodlands, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,579 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,456 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Harris Montgomery does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.
Lamar State College - Orange ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas list. Located in Orange, Texas, the small public school handed out 53 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lamar State College - Orange are $13,824 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lamar State College - Orange. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Plains College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. South Plains College is a medium-sized public school located in Levelland, Texas that handed out 482 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Plains College are $4,857 per year.
South Plains 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 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Texas College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas ranking. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 967 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
South Texas College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,500 in tuition and fees each year.
South Texas 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.
Central Texas 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 #24 on the list. Located in Killeen, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 564 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Central Texas College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,500 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Central Texas College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
El Paso Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Texas list. El Paso Community College is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 239 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Paso Community College are $5,314 a year.
El Paso 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Southwest 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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