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2023 Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region
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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 113 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones had the most popular online programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
Most Popular Online Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Grantham University the most popular school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their degree. Grantham University is a public institution located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,707 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $28,442 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Grantham University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,745 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,503 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,848 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $483 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mizzou graduates make an average of $46,901 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 14,847 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $59,264 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 113 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Highland Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Highland Community College is a small public school located in Highland, Kansas that handed out 601 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,025 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Highland Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,417 during the early year of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 113 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Washburn University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Topeka, Kansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,489 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,734 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $207 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Washburn University graduates make an average of $44,384 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
With a ranking of #6, Waldorf University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Waldorf is a small private for-profit school situated in Forest City, Iowa. It awarded 919 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,278 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Waldorf graduates make an average of $52,483 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
Central Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 2,601 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,313 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Community College graduates make an average of $35,791 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
National American University - Rapid City did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, the small private for-profit school handed out 332 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,065 in student loans.After graduating from National American University - Rapid City, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,187 during the early years of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Century College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,113 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $18,493 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Century College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,997 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Allen County Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Allen County Community College is a small public school located in Iola, Kansas that handed out 349 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,297 in student loans. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Bryan University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 83 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bryan University accumulate an average of $23,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bryan University graduates make an average of $25,844 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Anoka Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Anoka Technical College is a small public school situated in Anoka, Minnesota. It awarded 985 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Anoka Technical College accumulate an average of $16,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka Technical College graduates make an average of $39,893 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Rochester Community and Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Rochester, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 929 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Rochester Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $17,278 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rochester Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,604 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Bellevue University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,235 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Bellevue University accumulate an average of $32,622 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bellevue University graduates make an average of $54,053 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 2,118 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,068 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $182, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Southeast Missouri State University graduates make an average of $35,626 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the fairly large public school handed out 3,728 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,957 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $180. During the early years of their career, Minnesota State Mankato graduates make an average of $46,060 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Fort Hays State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,925 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,533 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $159. Once they receive their degree, FHSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,454 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton is a very small private for-profit school located in Fenton, Missouri that handed out 203 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SLCHC accumulate an average of $19,478 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, SLCHC graduates make an average of $36,904 annually. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Wichita State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the fairly large public school awarded 3,714 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WSU accumulate an average of $27,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $154 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,743 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,143 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $15,064 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
State Fair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. State Fair Community College is a small public school situated in Sedalia, Missouri. It awarded 750 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,232 in student loans. During the early years of their career, State Fair Community College graduates make an average of $41,167 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Northwest Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This very small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 203 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NTC accumulate an average of $14,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,103 during the early year of their career. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
Hutchinson Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Hutchinson Community College is a small public school situated in Hutchinson, Kansas. It awarded 1,608 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,990 in student loans.After graduating from Hutchinson Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,555 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Park University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2,461 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Park University accumulate an average of $26,692 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Park University graduates make an average of $46,849 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
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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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