Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

56 Schools Ranked
$7,385 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are so many trade school programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

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 Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 56 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones had the most popular online basic certificate programs 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:

#1

Highland Community College

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

Our 2023 rankings named Highland Community College the most popular school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Highland, Kansas, and it awarded 256 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Highland Community College, expect to pay an average of $3,330 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Highland Community College

#2

Grantham University

LIttle Rock, Arkansas
300 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grantham University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Grantham University is a public institution located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 300 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Grantham University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $8,280. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

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

Full Grantham University Report

#3

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
1,309 Total Awards
$3,300 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Central Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,309 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,300 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,710. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Central Community College

81 Total Awards
$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Allen County Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Allen County Community College is a small public school located in Iola, Kansas that handed out 81 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Allen Community College is $3,780. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Allen County Community College

#5

Century College

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

Out of the 56 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Century College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 477 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Century College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,105. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Century College Report

#6

Pine Technical & Community College

Pine City, Minnesota
98 Total Awards
$4,643 Average Tuition & Fees

Pine Technical & Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Pine Technical & Community College is located in Pine City, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 98 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,643 in tuition and fees if they attend Pine Technical & Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,821. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

123 Total Awards
$5,670 Average Tuition & Fees

Rochester Community and Technical 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 #7 on the list. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 123 students in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Rochester Community and Technical College, expect to pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Clarkson College

Omaha, Nebraska
40 Total Awards

Clarkson College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 40 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Clarkson College Report

#9

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
62 Total Awards
$6,718 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Watertown, South Dakota, and it awarded 62 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,718 to cover tuition and fees at LATI. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lake Area Technical Institute Report

#10

Anoka Technical College

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

With a ranking of #10, Anoka Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 526 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Anoka Technical College, expect to pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

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

Full Anoka Technical College Report

#11

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, Minnesota
37 Total Awards
$6,226 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Northwest Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the very small public school handed out 37 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,226 to cover tuition and fees at NTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. 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 74% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northwest Technical College

#12

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
15 Total Awards
$41,270 Average Tuition & Fees

Bethel University Minnesota 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 #12 on the list. Bethel University Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 15 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $41,270 to cover tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

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

Read full report on Bethel University Minnesota

#13

North Hennepin Community College

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

North Hennepin Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 578 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at North Hennepin Community College is $5,050. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on North Hennepin Community College

#14

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
17 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Tech is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 17 basic certificates to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,650 to cover tuition and fees at Southeast Tech. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Southeast Technical College Report

#14

Minnesota State College Southeast

Winona, Minnesota
81 Total Awards
$7,490 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota State College Southeast ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State College Southeast is a small public school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 81 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

MSC Southeast does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,490. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#16

Hennepin Technical College

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

With a ranking of #16, Hennepin Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Hennepin Technical College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 730 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at Hennepin Technical College is $5,881. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Hennepin Technical College

#16

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
855 Total Awards
$2,784 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Johnson County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This fairly large public school is located in Overland Park, Kansas, and it awarded 855 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,784 in tuition and fees if they attend JCCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,472. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Johnson County Community College Report

161 Total Awards
$6,107 Average Tuition & Fees

Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Alexandria Technical & Community College is a small public school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 161 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,107. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Report

277 Total Awards
$6,484 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota West Community and Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota West is a public institution located in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 277 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,332. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Minnesota West Community and Technical College Report

#19

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, Nebraska
133 Total Awards
$3,276 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Community College Area 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 #19 on the list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school awarded 133 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southeast Community College is $3,276. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,864. Of those students who received their degree, 32% were women.

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.

Read full report on Southeast Community College Area

#21

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
199 Total Awards
$6,321 Average Tuition & Fees

Normandale Community 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 #21 on the list. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 199 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,321 to cover tuition and fees at Normandale Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

102 Total Awards
$10,236 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MSU Moorhead is a small public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 102 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MSU Moorhead is $10,236. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,072. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

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.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Report

149 Total Awards

Eastern Iowa Community College District 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 #22 on the list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 149 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

Around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Report

#22

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota
167 Total Awards
$6,244 Average Tuition & Fees

Northland Community and Technical 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 #22 on the list. Thief River Falls, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 167 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College is $6,244. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#25

Flint Hills Technical College

Emporia, Kansas
145 Total Awards
$6,932 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Flint Hills Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Flint Hills Technical College is located in Emporia, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 145 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at Flint Hills Technical College is $6,932. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Flint Hills Technical College

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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

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