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Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland

2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland

28 Schools Ranked
$7,123 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. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Our analysis looked at 28 schools in Maryland 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

North American Trade Schools

Baltimore, Maryland
269 Total Awards

Our analysis found North American Trade Schools to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Maryland. North American Trade Schools is a private for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 269 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.

Read More…

#2

Cortiva Institute-Baltimore

Linthicum, Maryland
246 Total Awards

The excellent basic certificate programs at Cortiva Institute-Baltimore helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Maryland. This very small private for-profit school is located in Linthicum, Maryland, and it awarded 246 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Cortiva Institute-Baltimore Report

#3

All-State Career - Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland
225 Total Awards

The excellent basic certificate programs at All-State Career - Baltimore helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 225 students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.

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#4

Aveda Institute - Maryland

Bel Air, Maryland
103 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you attend Aveda Institute - Maryland. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland list. Aveda Institute - Maryland is a private for-profit institution located in Bel Air, Maryland. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 103 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Aveda Institute - Maryland Report

525 Total Awards
$6,918 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Community College of Baltimore County is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the fairly large public school awarded 525 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CCBC is $6,918. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,062. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCBC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Community College of Baltimore County

#6

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, Maryland
114 Total Awards
$6,390 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Hagerstown Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Hagerstown, Maryland, the small public school handed out 114 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at HCC is $6,390. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,190. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at HCC. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Hagerstown Community College

#7

Fortis Institute - Towson

Towson, Maryland
68 Total Awards

Fortis Institute - Towson came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Fortis Institute - Towson is a very small private for-profit school situated in Towson, Maryland. It awarded 68 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Full Fortis Institute - Towson Report

#8

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, Maryland
690 Total Awards
$9,230 Average Tuition & Fees

Anne Arundel Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Arnold, Maryland is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 690 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Maryland who attend AACC full time pay an average of $9,230 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,760. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

AACC 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 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#9

Hair Academy II

Hillcrest Heights, Maryland
47 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Hair Academy II did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, the very small private for-profit school handed out 47 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Read full report on Hair Academy II

#10

Montgomery College

Rockville, Maryland
171 Total Awards
$10,254 Average Tuition & Fees

Montgomery 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 #10 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Rockville, Maryland, and it awarded 171 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montgomery College is $10,254. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,061. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Montgomery College. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#12

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, Maryland
67 Total Awards
$3,314 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Baltimore City Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Baltimore City Community College is a small public school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 67 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,314 in tuition and fees if they attend Baltimore City Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,394. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Baltimore City Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Baltimore City Community College Report

#13

Howard Community College

Columbia, Maryland
48 Total Awards
$7,704 Average Tuition & Fees

Howard Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland list. Howard Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Columbia, Maryland that handed out 48 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Maryland pay an average of $7,704 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend HCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,459. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at HCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Howard Community College

66 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, Lincoln College of Technology - Columbia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This very small private for-profit school is located in Columbia, Maryland, and it awarded 66 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 11% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#14

Allegany College of Maryland

Cumberland, Maryland
17 Total Awards
$8,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Allegany College of Maryland landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Allegany College of Maryland is located in Cumberland, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 17 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Allegany College of Maryland is $8,720. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,060. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Allegany College of Maryland does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#16

Hair Expressions Academy

Rockville, Maryland
60 Total Awards

Hair Expressions Academy landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Hair Expressions Academy is a very small private for-profit school located in Rockville, Maryland that handed out 60 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

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

Full Hair Expressions Academy Report

#16

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, Maryland
144 Total Awards
$7,200 Average Tuition & Fees

College of Southern Maryland came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. CSM is a small public school situated in La Plata, Maryland. It awarded 144 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CSM is $7,200. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,240. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at CSM. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full College of Southern Maryland Report

#18

Frederick Community College

Frederick, Maryland
101 Total Awards
$7,444 Average Tuition & Fees

Frederick Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Frederick Community College is a public institution located in Frederick, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 101 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Frederick Community College is $7,444. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,844. Of those students who received their degree, 31% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Frederick Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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187 Total Awards
$6,194 Average Tuition & Fees

Prince George’s 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 #19 on the list. PGCC is a public institution located in Largo, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 187 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Maryland pay an average of $6,194 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PGCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,642. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

PGCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Prince George’s Community College Report

#20

Holistic Massage Training Institute

Baltimore, Maryland
10 Total Awards

Holistic Massage Training Institute landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 10 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#21

Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton

New Carrollton, Maryland
9 Total Awards

Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland list. New Carrollton, Maryland is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 9 students in 2021-2022.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Hair Academy Inc-New Carrollton Report

#21

Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, Maryland
6 Total Awards
$6,344 Average Tuition & Fees

Chesapeake College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Wye Mills, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 6 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Maryland who attend Chesapeake College full time pay an average of $6,344 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,504. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Chesapeake College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Chesapeake College Report

#23

Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex

Baltimore, Maryland
9 Total Awards

Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Maryland Beauty Academy is a very small private for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 9 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Read More…

#24

Harford Community College

Bel Air, Maryland
33 Total Awards
$6,168 Average Tuition & Fees

Harford Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Harford Community College is a public institution located in Bel Air, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Maryland pay an average of $6,168 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harford Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,448. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Harford Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Harford Community College

#25

Wor-Wic Community College

Salisbury, Maryland
127 Total Awards
$6,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Wor-Wic Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Maryland ranking. Wor-Wic Community College is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 127 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,720 in tuition and fees if they attend Wor-Wic Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,280. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wor-Wic Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

Most Popular Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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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