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Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota

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2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota

50 Schools Ranked
$6,798 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

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 Minnesota ranking. Our analysis looked at 50 schools in Minnesota 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

Anoka Technical College

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

Our 2023 rankings named Anoka Technical College the most popular school in Minnesota for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Anoka Technical College is a small public school situated in Anoka, Minnesota. It awarded 526 basic certificates 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.

One thing to take note of is that Anoka Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Anoka Technical College

#2

Hennepin Technical College

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Hennepin Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 730 students in 2021-2022.

Hennepin Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,881. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Hennepin Technical 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 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Hennepin Technical College Report

277 Total Awards
$6,484 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Granite Falls, Minnesota that handed out 277 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Minnesota West. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,332. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Minnesota West. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College

#4

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
448 Total Awards
$6,318 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Saint Paul College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. 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. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Saint Paul College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Saint Paul College Report

500 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 500 basic certificates to qualified students.

Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center Report

450 Total Awards
$6,098 Average Tuition & Fees

Minneapolis 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 #6 on the list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 450 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,098 to cover tuition and fees at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Report

#7

Century College

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

Century College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 477 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,105 to cover tuition and fees at Century College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Century College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Century College

#8

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota
175 Total Awards

Aveda Institute - Minneapolis landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 175 students in 2021-2022.

Around 95% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

#9

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
248 Total Awards
$6,007 Average Tuition & Fees

Inver Hills Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Inver Hills Community College is a small public school located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota that handed out 248 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at IHCC is $6,007. 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, 79% were women.

One thing to take note of is that IHCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Inver Hills Community College Report

#10

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
355 Total Awards
$13,765 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen 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 #10 on the list. St. Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 355 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $13,765. 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.

Rasmussen University - Minnesota 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 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report

#11

Northland Community and Technical College

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

Northland Community and Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Northland Community and Technical College is located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 167 basic certificates to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,244 to cover tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

Northland Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#12

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Rochester, Minnesota
101 Total Awards
$10,727 Average Tuition & Fees

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 101 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is $10,727. 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, 78% were women.

Full Mayo Clinic School of Medicine Report

#13

Minnesota State College Southeast

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

Minnesota State College Southeast 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 #13 on the list. MSC Southeast is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 81 basic certificates to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,490 to cover tuition and fees at MSC Southeast. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that MSC Southeast does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Minnesota State College Southeast

#13

Lake Superior College

Duluth, Minnesota
177 Total Awards
$6,404 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Lake Superior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 177 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

LSC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,404. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

LSC 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, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Lake Superior College Report

#15

Pine Technical & Community College

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

With a ranking of #15, Pine Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Pine City, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 98 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $4,643 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pine Technical & Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,821. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Online courses are available at Pine Technical & Community 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 24% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Pine Technical & Community College

123 Total Awards
$5,670 Average Tuition & Fees

Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical College is $5,670. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Rochester Community and Technical College Report

91 Total Awards

Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus is a private for-profit institution located in WOODBURY, Minnesota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 91 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus Report

#18

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
209 Total Awards
$6,419 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota County Technical College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. DCTC is a small public school situated in Rosemount, Minnesota. It awarded 209 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend DCTC, expect to pay an average of $6,419 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

One thing to take note of is that DCTC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Dakota County Technical College

#19

Riverland Community College

Austin, Minnesota
99 Total Awards
$6,249 Average Tuition & Fees

Riverland 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. Located in Austin, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 99 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,249 to cover tuition and fees at Riverland Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Riverland Community College. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Riverland Community College Report

#20

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 #20 on the list. Bloomington, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 199 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Normandale Community College is $6,321. 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, 70% were women.

Online courses are available at Normandale Community 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 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#21

South Central College

North Mankato, Minnesota
107 Total Awards
$6,146 Average Tuition & Fees

South Central 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. South Central College is located in North Mankato, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 107 basic certificates to qualified students.

If you want to attend South Central College, expect to pay an average of $6,146 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at South Central College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#22

Empire Beauty School-Bloomington

Bloomington, Minnesota
53 Total Awards

Empire Beauty School-Bloomington landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, the very small private for-profit school awarded 53 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Empire Beauty School-Bloomington Report

161 Total Awards
$6,107 Average Tuition & Fees

Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. ATCC is a public institution located in Alexandria, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 161 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at ATCC is $6,107. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ATCC. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Report

#24

PCI Academy-Plymouth

Plymouth, Minnesota
71 Total Awards

PCI Academy-Plymouth ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Plymouth, Minnesota, the very small private for-profit school awarded 71 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#25

Nova Academy of Cosmetology

Rochester, Minnesota
48 Total Awards

Nova Academy of Cosmetology ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Minnesota list. Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a very small private for-profit school situated in Rochester, Minnesota. It awarded 48 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Nova Academy of Cosmetology

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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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