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2023 Most Popular 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 392 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Central Community College the most popular school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their degree. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Grand Island, Nebraska that handed out 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.After graduating from Central Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,791 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology is a great place for trade school students. Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology is a medium-sized public school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 1,819 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,279 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $159 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WSU Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,673 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Read full report on Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
Out of the 392 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. DMACC is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,028 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $95, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DMACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,576 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 392 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hennepin Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 1,738 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College accumulate an average of $15,452 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Hennepin Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,797 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,848 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $11,311 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Western Iowa Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,155 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Johnson County Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. JCCC is located in Overland Park, Kansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,809 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from JCCC accumulate an average of $11,446 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, JCCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,711 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Washburn Institute of Technology came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Topeka, Kansas, the small public school awarded 891 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Washburn Tech accumulate an average of $10,739 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Washburn Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,073 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Hutchinson, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,608 students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #9, Saint Paul College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,328 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Saint Paul College accumulate an average of $15,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Saint Paul College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,206 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 1,344 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southeast Community College accumulate an average of $13,400 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $144, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Southeast Community College graduates make an average of $38,034 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Anoka Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 985 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,129 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Anoka Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,893 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small public school is located in Kansas City, Kansas, and it awarded 1,167 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,208 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates make an average of $34,587 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Kirkwood Community 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. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 2,365 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $68 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Kirkwood Community College graduates make an average of $38,090 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #14, Ranken Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 754 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,642 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $158, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Ranken Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,629 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 7% were women.
Metropolitan Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MCC is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,823 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,170 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,258 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 2,249 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,106 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, OTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,979 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Century College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,113 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Century College accumulate an average of $18,493 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Century College graduates make an average of $40,997 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large public school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 3,677 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,152 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,267 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
State Technical College of Missouri came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Linn, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 880 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,462 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, STC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,731 during the early year of their career. Around 18% of those degree recipients were women.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota West is a small public school situated in Granite Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 690 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,465 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Minnesota West, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,213 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 9,503 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Mizzou accumulate an average of $29,848 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 $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.
Wichita Technical Institute landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Wichita Technical Institute is a very small private for-profit school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 560 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WTI accumulate an average of $16,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WTI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $26,531 during the early years of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, Grantham University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,707 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $28,442 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Grantham University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,745 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. LATI is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 793 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,201 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LATI graduates make an average of $36,525 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Bismarck State College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 1,078 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,791 in student loans.After graduating from BSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,404 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA |
| 52 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE |
| 53 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 54 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
| 55 | Aveda Institute - Minneapolis | Minneapolis, MN |
| 55 | North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA |
| 57 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND |
| 58 | Concorde Career Colleges | Kansas City, MO |
| 59 | Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
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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