2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate 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. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
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 the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 212 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular basic certificate programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Central Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Plains States Region . Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Grand Island, Nebraska that handed out 1,309 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Nebraska who attend Central Community College full time pay an average of $3,300 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,710. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Central Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Plains States Region . WSU Tech is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 899 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WSU Tech is $5,715. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,578. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
WSU Tech 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 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Des Moines Area Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school handed out 1,607 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DMACC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 965 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,922 in tuition and fees if they attend Western Iowa Tech Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,946. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washburn Institute of Technology. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Washburn Tech is located in Topeka, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 546 basic certificates to qualified students.
If you want to attend Washburn Tech, expect to pay an average of $8,640 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Washburn Tech, 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 1% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Hutchinson Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hutchinson, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 572 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Hutchinson Community College is $3,600. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,530. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hutchinson Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #7, Johnson County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. JCCC is located in Overland Park, Kansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 855 basic certificates to qualified students.
Students from Kansas who attend JCCC full time pay an average of $2,784 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,472. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
One thing to take note of is that JCCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Anoka 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 Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 526 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Anoka Technical 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 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 730 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Kansas City Kansas Community College is located in Kansas City, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 404 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kansas City Kansas Community College is $3,164. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,244. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Kansas City Kansas Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Crowder 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 #11 on the list. Neosho, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 374 students in 2021-2022.
Crowder College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,616. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 13% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Crowder College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #12, Neosho County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Chanute, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 333 students in 2021-2022.
Neosho County Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $4,416. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Neosho County Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 277 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.
Minnesota West 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 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Saint Paul College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Paul College is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 448 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,318 to cover tuition and fees at Saint Paul College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Online courses are available at Saint Paul College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Barton County Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Barton Community College is located in Great Bend, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 313 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees if they attend Barton Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,608. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Barton Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Highland Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Highland Community College is a small public school located in Highland, Kansas that handed out 256 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Highland Community College is $3,330. 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, 92% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Highland Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #17, Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 500 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 30% were women.
Read full report on Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center
With a ranking of #18, Cowley County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Cowley College is located in Arkansas City, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 264 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,200 in tuition and fees if they attend Cowley College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,700. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cowley College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Salina, Kansas, the very small public school handed out 257 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Salina Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,320. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Salina Tech. In 2020-2021 about 29% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 450 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College, expect to pay an average of $6,098 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. MCC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 364 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Grantham University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 300 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Grantham University is $8,280. 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, 86% were women.
Grantham University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Century College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 477 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Century College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Fort Scott, Kansas, the small public school awarded 213 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
FSCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $3,600. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
FSCC 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 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, Ranken Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Ranken Technical College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 219 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Ranken Technical College is $16,960. 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, 7% were women.
Ranken Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 33 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
34 | North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS |
35 | Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA |
36 | Pratt Community College | Pratt, KS |
37 | Grabber School of Hair Design | St. Louis, MO |
38 | Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Missouri | Springfield, MO |
39 | Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN |
40 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
41 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN |
42 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
43 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
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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