Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

168 Schools Ranked
$5,384 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$27,381 Avg Student Debt*

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

The Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 168 schools in the Plains States Region 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 the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, Nebraska
1,344 Total Awards
$3,864 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Southeast Community College Area the best value school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their degree. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 1,344 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,864 a year.

Read More…

#2

Highland Community College

Highland, Kansas
601 Total Awards
$3,330 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Highland Community College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Highland Community College is a public institution located in Highland, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 601 degrees in 2021-2022.

Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,330 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Highland Community College

#3

Cloud County Community College

Concordia, Kansas
471 Total Awards
$3,570 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cloud County Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region list. Concordia, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 471 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cloud County Community College are $3,570 per year.

Read More…

#4

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
1,207 Total Awards
$5,050 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Hennepin Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Hennepin Community College is a small public school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 1,207 degrees in 2021-2022.

North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,050 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on North Hennepin Community College

#5

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas
1,608 Total Awards
$4,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 168 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hutchinson Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Hutchinson Community College is a small public school located in Hutchinson, Kansas that handed out 1,608 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,530 a year.

Read More…

791 Total Awards
$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

Neosho County Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Chanute, Kansas, the small public school handed out 791 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Neosho County Community College are $4,416 a year.

Read More…

929 Total Awards
$5,670 Average Tuition & Fees

Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Rochester Community and Technical College is located in Rochester, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 929 degrees to qualified students.

Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College

#8

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
1,078 Total Awards
$7,227 Average Tuition & Fees

Bismarck State College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. BSC is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,078 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BSC are $7,227 per year.

BSC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Full Bismarck State College Report

662 Total Awards
$6,107 Average Tuition & Fees

Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 662 degrees in 2021-2022.

ATCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,107 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, ATCC also is in the top 15% of our Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Read More…

#10

Garden City Community College

Garden City, Kansas
656 Total Awards
$4,110 Average Tuition & Fees

Garden City Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Garden City, Kansas, the small public school awarded 656 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Garden City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,110 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#11

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
2,809 Total Awards
$5,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnson County Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.

JCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Johnson County Community College

#12

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
2,601 Total Awards
$4,710 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,601 degrees in 2021-2022.

Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Central Community College

#13

Metropolitan Community College

Omaha, Nebraska
1,823 Total Awards
$4,815 Average Tuition & Fees

Metropolitan Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,823 students in 2021-2022.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,815 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#14

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
938 Total Awards
$5,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school awarded 938 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $5,130 per year.

Read full report on Northeast Community College

1,848 Total Awards
$4,946 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,848 degrees in 2021-2022.

Western Iowa Tech Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,946 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Report

#16

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, Minnesota
985 Total Awards
$6,075 Average Tuition & Fees

Anoka Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 985 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Anoka Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#17

Central Lakes College - Brainerd

Brainerd, Minnesota
856 Total Awards
$6,140 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Lakes College - Brainerd landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small public school is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and it awarded 856 degrees in 2021-2022.

Central Lakes College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,140 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Central Lakes College - Brainerd Report

#18

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
1,738 Total Awards
$5,881 Average Tuition & Fees

Hennepin Technical College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,738 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,881 a year.

Read full report on Hennepin Technical College

#19

St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
1,009 Total Awards
$6,075 Average Tuition & Fees

St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 1,009 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $6,075 a year.

Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College

#20

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
2,113 Total Awards
$6,105 Average Tuition & Fees

Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 2,113 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Century College are $6,105 per year.

Read full report on Century College

356 Total Awards
$7,170 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Sheldon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 356 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest Iowa Community College are $7,170 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Northwest Iowa Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read More…

#22

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
1,328 Total Awards
$6,318 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Paul College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,328 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Saint Paul College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,318 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Saint Paul College

#23

Ridgewater College

Willmar, Minnesota
742 Total Awards
$6,114 Average Tuition & Fees

Ridgewater College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Willmar, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 742 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $6,114 a year.

Full Ridgewater College Report

#24

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
569 Total Awards
$6,879 Average Tuition & Fees

North Dakota State College of Science landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school situated in Wahpeton, North Dakota. It awarded 569 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Dakota State College of Science are $6,879 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Dakota State College of Science also is in the top 20% of our Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Read full report on North Dakota State College of Science

#25

Dodge City Community College

Dodge City, Kansas
363 Total Awards
$4,890 Average Tuition & Fees

Dodge City Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. Dodge City Community College is a small public school situated in Dodge City, Kansas. It awarded 363 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dodge City Community College are $4,890 per year.

Read full report on Dodge City Community College

View Best Value Trade Schools Nationwide >

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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.