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Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington

2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington

58 Schools Ranked
$4,736 Avg Tuition & Fees*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. As online education oppotunities 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 58 schools in Washington to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
773 Total Awards
$4,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Olympic College the most popular school in Washington for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school awarded 773 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OC is $4,472. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,740. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that OC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Olympic College Report

#2

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington
834 Total Awards
$5,979 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Clover Park Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school awarded 834 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at CPTC is $5,979. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.

CPTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#3

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
571 Total Awards
$3,928 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Spokane Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 571 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend Spokane Community College full time pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,278. Around 25% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spokane Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Spokane Community College Report

#4

Green River College

Auburn, Washington
225 Total Awards
$4,434 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Green River College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. GRC is a medium-sized public school situated in Auburn, Washington. It awarded 225 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,434 in tuition and fees if they attend GRC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,916. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

GRC 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.

Read full report on Green River College

391 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means International Air and Hospitality Academy is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. International Air and Hospitality Academy is located in Vancouver, Washington and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 391 basic certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.

Read More…

#6

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington
419 Total Awards
$4,152 Average Tuition & Fees

Everett Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 419 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Everett Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,831. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Everett 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 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Everett Community College

#7

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham, Washington
245 Total Awards
$4,095 Average Tuition & Fees

Bellingham Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 245 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,095 in tuition and fees if they attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,357. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute 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 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Bellingham Technical College

511 Total Awards

Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Everett, Washington, the very small private for-profit school handed out 511 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.

Read full report on Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett

#8

Bates Technical College

Tacoma, Washington
426 Total Awards
$5,361 Average Tuition & Fees

Bates 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 #8 on the list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small public school handed out 426 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend Bates Technical College full time pay an average of $5,361 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,110. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Bates Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Bates Technical College

#10

Edmonds Community College

Lynnwood, Washington
336 Total Awards
$4,309 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Edmonds Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Lynnwood, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 336 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Edmonds Community College is $4,309. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,747. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Edmonds Community College. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Edmonds Community College Report

#11

Big Bend Community College

Moses Lake, Washington
166 Total Awards
$4,744 Average Tuition & Fees

Big Bend Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Big Bend Community College is a small public school situated in Moses Lake, Washington. It awarded 166 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend Big Bend Community College full time pay an average of $4,744 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,234. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Big Bend Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#12

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, Washington
259 Total Awards
$4,748 Average Tuition & Fees

Skagit Valley College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Skagit Valley College is located in Mount Vernon, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 259 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Skagit Valley College is $4,748. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,888. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Skagit Valley 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 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#13

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
180 Total Awards
$5,058 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, North Seattle College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 180 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend North Seattle full time pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,547. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

North Seattle does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full North Seattle College Report

#14

Pima Medical Institute - Renton

Renton, Washington
128 Total Awards

Pima Medical Institute - Renton ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. PMI Renton is located in Renton, Washington and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 128 basic certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

Online courses are available at PMI Renton, 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 4% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Pima Medical Institute - Renton Report

#15

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, Washington
220 Total Awards
$4,938 Average Tuition & Fees

South Puget Sound Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. South Puget Sound Community College is a public institution located in Olympia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 220 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Puget Sound Community College is $4,938. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,687. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

South Puget Sound 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on South Puget Sound Community College

#16

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
114 Total Awards
$4,891 Average Tuition & Fees

Centralia College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Centralia College is a public institution located in Centralia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 114 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend Centralia College full time pay an average of $4,891 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,381. Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Centralia College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

481 Total Awards
$4,710 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Washington Institute of Technology landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. LWTech is a small public school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 481 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Washington who attend LWTech full time pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,390. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LWTech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Lake Washington Institute of Technology Report

#18

Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington
178 Total Awards
$5,784 Average Tuition & Fees

Renton Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. Renton Technical College is a small public school located in Renton, Washington that handed out 178 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees if they attend Renton Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,252. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Renton 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.

Read full report on Renton Technical College

#19

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington
92 Total Awards

Walla Walla Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Walla Walla, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 92 students in 2021-2022.

Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Walla Walla Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Walla Walla Community College Report

#20

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington
374 Total Awards
$4,256 Average Tuition & Fees

Shoreline Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Shoreline Community College is located in Shoreline, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 374 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,256 in tuition and fees if they attend Shoreline Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,082. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington
90 Total Awards
$4,529 Average Tuition & Fees

Clark College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Vancouver, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 90 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Clark College is $4,529. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,133. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Clark College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Clark College

#22

Studio Beauty School

Spokane Valley, Washington
72 Total Awards

With a ranking of #22, Studio Beauty School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Studio Beauty School is a private for-profit institution located in Spokane Valley, Washington. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 72 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Studio Beauty School

#23

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, Washington
322 Total Awards
$4,998 Average Tuition & Fees

Yakima Valley 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 #23 on the list. YVC is a small public school situated in Yakima, Washington. It awarded 322 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend YVC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,488. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at YVC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Yakima Valley College Report

51 Total Awards

Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus 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 #24 on the list. Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus is a very small private for-profit school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 51 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.

Full Aveda Institute Portland - Vancouver Campus Report

#25

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, Washington
48 Total Awards
$4,605 Average Tuition & Fees

Grays Harbor College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list. GHC is a public institution located in Aberdeen, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GHC is $4,605. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,284. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

One thing to take note of is that GHC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Grays Harbor College Report

Most Popular Trade School Basic 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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