2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region
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. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 83 schools in the Plains States Region 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 the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Plains States Region . Southeast Community College is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 189 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,763 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southeast Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Highland Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Highland, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 73 students in 2021-2022.
Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,330 in tuition and fees each year.
Highland 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. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cloud County Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Concordia, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 46 students in 2021-2022.
Cloud County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,570 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,887 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cloud County Community College. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. ATCC is located in Alexandria, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 164 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ATCC are $6,107 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,581 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ATCC. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
ATCC also took the #3 spot in our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
Out of the 83 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Rochester Community and Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 116 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Rochester Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,977 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rochester Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Rochester Community and Technical College also did well on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
Neosho County Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Neosho County Community College is a small public school situated in Chanute, Kansas. It awarded 169 undergraduate certificates 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,453 in student loans.
Neosho County Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Central Lakes College is a small public school situated in Brainerd, Minnesota. It awarded 247 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Lakes College are $6,140 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,266 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Lakes College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 34% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Central Lakes College also is in the top 10% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Hutchinson Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the small public school awarded 222 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,530 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,957 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Hutchinson Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Northeast Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 126 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $5,130 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,726 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Northeast, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hennepin Technical 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 #10 on the list. Hennepin Technical College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 475 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,881 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,314 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Hennepin Technical College also is in the top 15% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Northwest Iowa Community 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 #11 on the list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Sheldon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 145 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northwest Iowa Community College are $7,170 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $7,669 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Northwest Iowa Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northwest Iowa Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #12, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 404 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,946 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,123 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 16 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $5,050 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,158 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Central Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 594 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Community College are $4,710 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $7,874 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saint Paul College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 320 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Saint Paul College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,318 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,330 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Saint Paul College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Saint Paul College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #16, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 249 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $6,075 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,441 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that St Cloud Technical and Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
St Cloud Technical and Community 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 the Plains States Region list.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
Century College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 448 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Century College are $6,105 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Century 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, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Century College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Metropolitan Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the fairly large public school handed out 200 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,815 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,044 in loans while pursuing their degree.
MCC 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 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota that handed out 258 undergraduate 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,274 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Northland 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Dakota County Technical 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 Rosemount, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 234 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DCTC are $6,419 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,454 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DCTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, DCTC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #21, Anoka Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Anoka, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 272 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,538 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Mid-Plains Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in North Platte, Nebraska, the small public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Mid-Plains Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,380 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Mid-Plains Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Johnson County Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 323 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
JCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,589 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since JCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Ridgewater 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. This small public school is located in Willmar, Minnesota, and it awarded 155 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Ridgewater College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,114 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,935 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ridgewater College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bismarck State College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. BSC is a small public school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 172 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BSC are $7,227 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,097 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BSC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
BSC also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
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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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