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.
Featured schools near , edit
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. This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Island, Nebraska, and it awarded 2,601 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,313 in loans while pursuing their degree.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.
The 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 . Located in Wichita, Kansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,819 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,279 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $159.After graduating from WSU Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,673 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 4,028 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,831 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $95, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hennepin Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hennepin Technical College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,738 degrees 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. During the early years of their career, Hennepin Technical College graduates make an average of $42,797 annually. Around 29% of those degree recipients 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. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,848 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,311 in student loans.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.
With a ranking of #6, Johnson County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This fairly large public school is located in Overland Park, Kansas, and it awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,446 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from JCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,711 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Washburn Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. Washburn Tech is located in Topeka, Kansas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 891 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $10,739 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Washburn Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,073 during the early year 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. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the small public school handed out 1,608 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College accumulate an average of $12,990 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Hutchinson Community College graduates make an average of $38,555 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Saint Paul College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. 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.After graduating from Saint Paul College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,206 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Southeast Community College Area did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Southeast Community College is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,344 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,400 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $144 if they 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 ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 985 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,129 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Kansas City Kansas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Kansas City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,167 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,208 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,587 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% 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 located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 2,365 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College accumulate an average of $15,926 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $68. During the early years of their career, Kirkwood Community College graduates make an average of $38,090 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Ranken Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 754 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Ranken Technical College accumulate an average of $13,642 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $158. Once they receive their degree, Ranken Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,629 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 7% were women.
Metropolitan Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 1,823 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,170 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $37,258 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Ozarks Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 2,249 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,106 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, OTC graduates make an average of $29,979 annually. 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. This medium-sized public school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 2,113 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,493 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Century College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,997 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school handed out 3,677 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $11,152 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,267 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
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. STC is located in Linn, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 880 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from STC accumulate an average of $10,462 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, STC graduates make an average of $39,731 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
With a ranking of #20, Minnesota West Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 690 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Minnesota West accumulate an average of $11,465 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Minnesota West graduates make an average of $38,213 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school awarded 9,503 diplomas to qualifed students 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.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #22, Wichita Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. WTI is located in Wichita, Kansas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 560 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,927 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WTI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,531 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Grantham University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. LIttle Rock, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,707 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $28,442 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Grantham University graduates make an average of $55,745 annually. 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. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 793 diplomas to qualifed students 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.After graduating from LATI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,525 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
With a ranking of #25, Bismarck State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 1,078 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,791 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, BSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,404 during the early year 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:
Narrow Schools by State
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.