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Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region

32 Schools Ranked
$4,406 Avg Tuition & Fees*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. As online education opportunities 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 Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 32 schools in the Southwest Region to see which online basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

4,818 Total Awards

Our analysis found University of Phoenix - Arizona to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Southwest Region . Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 4,818 students in 2021-2022.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - Arizona

#2

Arlington Career Institute

Grand Prairie, Texas
168 Total Awards

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Arlington Career Institute is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Arlington Career Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Grand Prairie, Texas. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 168 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

328 Total Awards

Out of the 32 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) landed the # 3 spot on the list. Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) is located in San Antonio, Texas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 328 basic certificates to qualified students.

Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.

Since Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop) is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (NW Loop)

#4

Brookline College - Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona
178 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brookline College - Phoenix. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Brookline College - Phoenix is a very small private for-profit school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 178 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Brookline College - Phoenix. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Brookline College - Phoenix Report

346 Total Awards
$4,200 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at McLennan Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Southwest Region . MCC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,200 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,910. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on McLennan Community College

1,100 Total Awards
$3,514 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 1,100 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend Collin County Community College District full time pay an average of $3,514 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,614. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#7

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
196 Total Awards
$4,059 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Oklahoma City Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large public school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 196 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,059 in tuition and fees if they attend OCCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,810. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 6% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Oklahoma City Community College

#8

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
168 Total Awards
$3,266 Average Tuition & Fees

Galveston College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Galveston, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 168 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,266 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Galveston College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,726. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#9

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona
928 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

GateWay Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. GateWay Community College is a small public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 928 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend GateWay Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#9

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
743 Total Awards

Yavapai College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Prescott, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 743 students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

46 Total Awards
$15,313 Average Tuition & Fees

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 46 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,313. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service Report

#12

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
77 Total Awards
$2,238 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, New Mexico State University - Dona Ana did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 77 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from New Mexico pay an average of $2,238 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NMSU Dona Ana. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,880. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

#13

Midland College

Midland, Texas
374 Total Awards
$4,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Midland College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Midland, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 374 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend Midland College full time pay an average of $4,650 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,880. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

100 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (SW Military Drive) did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the very small private for-profit school awarded 100 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Southern Careers Institute - San Antonio (SW Military Drive) is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read More…

#15

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
564 Total Awards

With a ranking of #15, Central Texas College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Killeen, Texas, and it awarded 564 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

204 Total Awards

With a ranking of #16, Cochise County Community College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Cochise College is a public institution located in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 204 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Cochise County Community College District

5 Total Awards
$12,422 Average Tuition & Fees

American InterContinental University - Online ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 5 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

AIU Online does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,422. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, AIU Online is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read More…

#18

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
872 Total Awards
$2,298 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Pima Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the fairly large public school awarded 872 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,298 in tuition and fees if they attend Pima County Community College District full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,614. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Pima Community College

185 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Estrella Mountain Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Avondale, Arizona. It awarded 185 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Arizona who attend Estrella Mountain Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Estrella Mountain Community College

#20

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona
2,569 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Rio Salado College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 2,569 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rio Salado College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.

Around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Rio Salado College Report

#20

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
60 Total Awards
$3,779 Average Tuition & Fees

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 60 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OSU-OKC is $3,779. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,564. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

185 Total Awards

Southern Careers Institute - Harlingen came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Harlingen, Texas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 185 students in 2021-2022.

Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Southern Careers Institute - Harlingen is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on Southern Careers Institute - Harlingen

#20

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
170 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Scottsdale Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the medium-sized public school awarded 170 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Scottsdale Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Scottsdale Community College

#24

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
678 Total Awards
$2,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Mesa Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Mesa, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 678 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mesa Community College is $2,070. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Mesa Community College

225 Total Awards

Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville is a very small private for-profit school situated in Brownsville, Texas. It awarded 225 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.

Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

View Most Popular Online Trade School Basic Certificate 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.

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