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Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas

2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

78 Schools Ranked
$6,111 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$25,184 Avg Student Debt*

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.

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 Schools in Texas ranking. This report analyzed 78 schools in Texas to see which ones offered the best value 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.

Top Value Trade Schools in Texas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Port Arthur, Texas
561 Total Awards
$7,890 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Lamar State College - Port Arthur the best value school in Texas for trade school students working on their degree. Lamar State College - Port Arthur is a small public school located in Port Arthur, Texas that handed out 561 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lamar State College - Port Arthur are $7,890 a year.

Read full report on Lamar State College - Port Arthur

#2

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
677 Total Awards
$5,726 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Galveston College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school awarded 677 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,726 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Galveston College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Texas list.

Full Galveston College Report

#3

Lamar Institute of Technology

Beaumont, Texas
968 Total Awards
$12,636 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lamar Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Located in Beaumont, Texas, the small public school awarded 968 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lamar Institute of Technology are $12,636 per year.

Full Lamar Institute of Technology Report

#4

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
897 Total Awards
$4,896 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Panola College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Texas. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school handed out 897 degrees in 2021-2022.

Panola College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,896 in tuition and fees each year.

Panola College also took the #3 spot in our Best Trade Schools in Texas rankings.

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#5

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
1,253 Total Awards
$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Alvin Community College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This medium-sized public school is located in Alvin, Texas, and it awarded 1,253 degrees in 2021-2022.

Alvin undergraduate students pay an average of $4,010 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Alvin Community College

#6

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
10,913 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 10,913 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 per year.

El Centro College also took the #5 spot in our Best Trade Schools in Texas rankings.

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6,278 Total Awards
$5,614 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,614 a year.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#8

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
3,677 Total Awards
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Lee College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Baytown, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,677 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Lee College also is in the top 15% of our Best Trade Schools in Texas ranking.

Read full report on Lee College

#9

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
2,380 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

Amarillo College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. Amarillo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,380 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 per year.

Read More…

#10

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
8,335 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jacinto Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Located in Pasadena, Texas, the large public school awarded 8,335 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

San Jacinto College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on San Jacinto Community College

#11

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
760 Total Awards
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Mainland ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school awarded 760 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 per year.

Read More…

#12

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
7,513 Total Awards
$8,235 Average Tuition & Fees

Tarrant County College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Tarrant County College is a public institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,513 degrees in 2021-2022.

Tarrant County College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,235 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Tarrant County College District Report

#13

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
600 Total Awards
$5,112 Average Tuition & Fees

Victoria College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. This small public school is located in Victoria, Texas, and it awarded 600 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Victoria College are $5,112 per year.

Read full report on Victoria College

#14

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
865 Total Awards
$5,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Wharton, Texas, and it awarded 865 degrees in 2021-2022.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,052 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

1,793 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

McLennan Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 1,793 degrees in 2021-2022.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year.

Full McLennan Community College Report

1,232 Total Awards
$4,948 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Brownsville ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. The University of Texas at Brownsville is located in Brownsville, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,232 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Brownsville are $4,948 a year.

Full The University of Texas at Brownsville Report

647 Total Awards
$13,824 Average Tuition & Fees

Lamar State College - Orange landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Lamar State College - Orange is a public institution located in Orange, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 647 degrees in 2021-2022.

Lamar State College - Orange undergraduate students pay an average of $13,824 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#18

Hill College

Hillsboro, Texas
670 Total Awards
$4,462 Average Tuition & Fees

Hill College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Hill College is a public institution located in Hillsboro, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 670 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hill College are $4,462 per year.

Read full report on Hill College

#19

Clarendon College

Clarendon, Texas
290 Total Awards
$5,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarendon College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Clarendon College is located in Clarendon, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 290 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clarendon College are $5,400 per year.

Full Clarendon College Report

#20

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
4,045 Total Awards
$5,314 Average Tuition & Fees

El Paso Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in El Paso, Texas, the large public school handed out 4,045 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at El Paso Community College are $5,314 per year.

Full El Paso Community College Report

#21

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
705 Total Awards
$6,449 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas ranking. This small public school is located in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and it awarded 705 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NTCC are $6,449 per year.

NTCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Texas list.

Read More…

#22

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
2,687 Total Awards
$7,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Killeen, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,687 degrees in 2021-2022.

Central Texas College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,500 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#23

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
2,452 Total Awards
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Tyler Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 per year.

Read More…

#24

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
1,599 Total Awards
$7,200 Average Tuition & Fees

North Central Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. NCTC is located in Gainesville, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,599 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NCTC are $7,200 a year.

Read More…

#25

Temple College

Temple, Texas
828 Total Awards
$6,576 Average Tuition & Fees

Temple College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Texas list. Temple College is a small public school located in Temple, Texas that handed out 828 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Temple College are $6,576 a year.

Read full report on Temple College

Best Value Trade 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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