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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 analysis found Central Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students in the Plains States Region . This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Island, Nebraska, and it awarded 2,601 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Central Community College accumulate an average of $8,313 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Central Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,791 during the early year of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. WSU Tech is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,819 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WSU Tech accumulate an average of $10,279 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 $159. During the early years of their career, WSU Tech graduates make an average of $40,673 annually. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Report
You’ll be in good company if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school awarded 4,028 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $95. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Hennepin Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 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.After graduating from Hennepin Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,797 during the early years of their career. Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Western Iowa Tech Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in the Plains States Region . This medium-sized public school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 1,848 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,311 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 61% 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,446 in student loans.After graduating from JCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,711 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% 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. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 891 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. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the small public school awarded 1,608 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,990 in loans while pursuing their degree.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. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Paul College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. Saint Paul College is a medium-sized public school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 1,328 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,827 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Saint Paul College graduates make an average of $36,206 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,344 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,400 in loans while pursuing 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 landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Anoka Technical College is located in Anoka, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 985 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $16,129 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka Technical College graduates make an average of $39,893 annually. 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.
Degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College accumulate an average of $9,208 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates make an average of $34,587 annually. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,926 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $68, assuming you 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.
Ranken Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 754 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,642 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $158.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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 1,823 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,258 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Springfield, Missouri, the fairly large public school handed out 2,249 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from OTC accumulate an average of $15,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, OTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,979 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,113 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. 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 3,677 diplomas to qualifed students 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. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $40,267 annually. 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 a small public school situated in Linn, Missouri. It awarded 880 degrees 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. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota West is a public institution located in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and 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. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $483, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Mizzou graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,901 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Wichita Technical Institute came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WTI is located in Wichita, Kansas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 560 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from WTI accumulate an average of $16,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WTI graduates make an average of $26,531 annually. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Grantham University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Grantham University is a medium-sized public school located in LIttle Rock, Arkansas that handed out 1,707 degrees 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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. LATI is located in Watertown, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 793 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $13,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from LATI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,525 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Bismarck State College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. BSC is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,078 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from BSC accumulate an average of $12,791 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BSC graduates make an average of $55,404 annually. Around 40% of those degree recipients 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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