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2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. This report analyzed 25 schools in Minnesota 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.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rochester Community and Technical College the best value school in Minnesota for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 123 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees each year.
Rochester Community and Technical 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% 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, Rochester Community and Technical College is ranked #4 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
The excellent basic certificate programs at Anoka Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Minnesota. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 526 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 a year.
Anoka Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Anoka Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 477 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Century College are $6,105 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Century College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Hennepin Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Minnesota. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 730 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,881 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Hennepin Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 37 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTC are $6,226 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NTC. 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.
With a ranking of #6, Saint Paul College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 448 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,318 per year.
Online courses are available at Saint Paul 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 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northland Community and 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 #7 on the list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota that handed out 167 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northland Community and Technical College are $6,244 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. 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.
Inver Hills Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 248 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
IHCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,007 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that IHCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #9, Ridgewater College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Ridgewater College is a small public school situated in Willmar, Minnesota. It awarded 39 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $6,114 a year.
Ridgewater College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 161 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $6,107 a year.
ATCC 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 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. Dakota County Technical College is a small public school located in Rosemount, Minnesota that handed out 209 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DCTC are $6,419 a year.
DCTC 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, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, South Central College 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 North Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 107 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Central College are $6,146 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Central College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 277 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Minnesota West undergraduate students pay an average of $12,332 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Minnesota West, 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Pine Technical & Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Pine City, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 98 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Pine Technical & Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,821 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pine Technical & Community College. In fact, around 24% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lake Superior 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 #15 on the list. Lake Superior College is a small public school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 177 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LSC are $6,404 a year.
Online courses are available at LSC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 450 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,098 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public institution located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 65 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,655 a year.
Online courses are available at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus, 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, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 43 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at M State are $5,900 a year.
M State 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.
Read full report on Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Central Lakes College - Brainerd came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small public school is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and it awarded 106 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Central Lakes College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,140 in tuition and fees each year.
Central Lakes College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 34% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 102 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU Moorhead are $19,072 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MSU Moorhead. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
MSU Moorhead excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list.
Minnesota State College Southeast ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 81 students in 2021-2022.
MSC Southeast undergraduate students pay an average of $7,490 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at MSC Southeast, 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 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Normandale Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and it awarded 199 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Normandale Community College are $6,321 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Normandale Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school awarded 355 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $13,765 per year.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota rankings.
Dunwoody College of Technology 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. Dunwoody College of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 20 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dunwoody College of Technology are $24,611 per year.
Online courses are available at Dunwoody College of Technology, 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 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Dunwoody College of Technology also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list, coming in at #2.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bethel University Minnesota are $41,270 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bethel University Minnesota. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Bethel University Minnesota is ranked #1 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States 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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