2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California
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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 66 schools in California to see which ones offered the best value undergraduate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Mt. San Antonio College the best value school in California for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 268 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mt. SAC are $10,096 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 10% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mt. SAC also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list, coming in at #1.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cuesta College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,268 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Cuesta College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,348 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cuesta College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cuesta College also took the #2 spot in our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California rankings.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Napa Valley College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Napa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 378 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $9,388 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Napa Valley College. In 2020-2021 about 83% 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, Napa Valley College is ranked #3 for overall quality in California.
Out of the 66 schools in California that were part of this year’s value ranking, San Bernardino Valley College landed the # 4 spot on the list. San Bernardino Valley College is a fairly large public school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 352 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
San Bernardino Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,057 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at San Bernardino Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
San Bernardino Valley College also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list, coming in at #4.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Butte College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 271 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,816 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Butte College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Butte College also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list, coming in at #5.
Cabrillo College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in Aptos, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 238 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Cabrillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,630 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $19,778 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cabrillo College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cabrillo College also is in the top 10% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking.
Santa Barbara City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,058 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SBCC are $9,322 per year.
Online courses are available at SBCC, 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 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SBCC also is in the top 10% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking.
Merced College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 990 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Merced Community College District are $7,890 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
Merced Community College District excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list.
With a ranking of #9, West Hills College-Coalinga did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. West Hills College-Coalinga is a public institution located in Coalinga, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 332 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at West Hills College-Coalinga are $10,110 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,262 in student loans.
West Hills College-Coalinga 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 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, West Hills College-Coalinga also did well on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Canada College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Canada College is a medium-sized public school situated in Redwood City, California. It awarded 84 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Canada College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,006 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Canada 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 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Canada College also is in the top 15% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California ranking.
With a ranking of #11, Yuba College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 499 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Yuba College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,488 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Yuba College, 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, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Yuba College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list.
Modesto Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. MJC is a public institution located in Modesto, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 205 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MJC are $7,308 a year.
MJC 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 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
MJC also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Ventura College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,212 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ventura College are $8,146 a year.
Ventura 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ventura College also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #14, Foothill College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Los Altos Hills, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 573 students in 2021-2022.
Foothill College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,510 in tuition and fees each year.
Foothill College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Cypress College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Cypress College is located in Cypress, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,310 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cypress College are $7,986 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cypress College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Palomar College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Palomar College is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,700 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Palomar College are $10,644 per year.
Palomar 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, Crafton Hills College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. CHC is a public institution located in Yucaipa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 464 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CHC are $9,942 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CHC. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Victor Valley College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in California list. Victorville, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 1,786 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Victor Valley College are $10,125 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Victor Valley College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Fresno City College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. This large public school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 243 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Fresno City College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,890 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Fresno City College. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Reedley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Reedley, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 99 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Reedley College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,890 in tuition and fees each year.
Reedley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Delta is a public institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 270 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Delta undergraduate students pay an average of $9,072 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Delta does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Sacramento City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. Sacramento City College is a fairly large public school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 204 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sacramento City are $10,768 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Sacramento City does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,112 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
SRJC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,310 in tuition and fees each year.
SRJC 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 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Siskiyous landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. College of the Siskiyous is located in Weed, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 84 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
College of the Siskiyous undergraduate students pay an average of $9,844 in tuition and fees each year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Siskiyous. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Glendale Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This fairly large public school is located in Glendale, California, and it awarded 244 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GCC are $8,438 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,800 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since GCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US 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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