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2023 Most Popular Undergraduate 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 261 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular undergraduate certificate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Wichita Technical Institute to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in the Plains States Region . Located in Wichita, Kansas, the very small private for-profit school handed out 540 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,581 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Hennepin Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 475 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,314 in student loans. Around 23% 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology is a medium-sized public school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 605 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,715 in tuition and fees if they attend WSU Tech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,578. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,279 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 27% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WSU Tech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Report
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Central Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 594 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,300 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,710. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,874 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Central Community 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Saint Paul College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Paul College is a medium-sized public school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 320 undergraduate 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Saint Paul College accumulate an average of $11,330 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Saint Paul College. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Ozarks Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 759 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend OTC full time pay an average of $5,216 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,368. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,963 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Online courses are available at OTC, 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 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Missouri did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Missouri is a very small private for-profit school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 249 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $8,968 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Missouri Report
With a ranking of #8, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 404 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $4,922 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,946. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,123 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 282 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
M State does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,900. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from M State accumulate an average of $13,049 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Online courses are available at M State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school awarded 411 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,031 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
DMACC 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 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school handed out 419 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kirkwood Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,604. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,843 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate 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 268 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kansas City Kansas Community College is $3,164. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,244. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College accumulate an average of $7,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Kansas City Kansas Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
With a ranking of #13, Washburn Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Washburn Tech is a small public school situated in Topeka, Kansas. It awarded 345 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Washburn Tech accumulate an average of $10,739 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Washburn Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 1% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
St Cloud Technical and Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 249 students in 2021-2022.
St Cloud Technical and Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,075. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,441 in student loans. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
St Cloud Technical and Community 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the very small private for-profit school handed out 282 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,378 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 16% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Read full report on Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City
With a ranking of #16, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 289 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Iowa Western Community College is $6,540. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,690. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,985 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Iowa Western Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. Northland Community and Technical College is located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 258 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College is $6,244. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,274 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 48% 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.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 247 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Central Lakes College, expect to pay an average of $6,140 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Central Lakes College accumulate an average of $11,266 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 31% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Lakes College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 34% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Riverland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Austin, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 183 undergraduate 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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,885 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Riverland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. DCTC is a public institution located in Rosemount, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 234 undergraduate 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,454 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DCTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school located in St. Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 200 undergraduate certificates 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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,099 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 448 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,366 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Century College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Anoka Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. Anoka Technical College is a small public school located in Anoka, Minnesota that handed out 272 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,075 to cover tuition and fees at Anoka Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,538 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Anoka Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Johnson County Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Johnson County Community College is a fairly large public school located in Overland Park, Kansas that handed out 323 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $2,784 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend JCCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,472. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,589 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
JCCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Granite Falls, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 174 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,332. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,924 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 32% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 40 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | School Removed | |
| 42 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
| 42 | Lake Superior College | Duluth, MN |
| 44 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
| 44 | Western Dakota Technical Institute | Rapid City, SD |
| 46 | Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA |
| 46 | Aveda Institute - Minneapolis | Minneapolis, MN |
| 46 | State Fair Community College | Sedalia, MO |
| 46 | State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO |
| 50 | Northwest Kansas Technical College | Goodland, KS |
| 50 | Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA |
| 52 | Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS |
| 53 | Neosho County Community College | Chanute, KS |
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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