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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.
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Most Popular Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Wichita Technical Institute the most popular school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the very small private for-profit school handed out 540 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,581 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Out of the 261 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hennepin Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the 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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,314 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 23% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. WSU Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 605 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Kansas who attend WSU Tech full time pay an average of $5,715 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,578. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from WSU Tech accumulate an average of $7,279 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 27% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSU Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. 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
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Grand Island, Nebraska that handed out 594 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Nebraska who attend Central Community College full time pay an average of $3,300 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,710. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Central Community College accumulate an average of $7,874 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Saint Paul College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,330 in student loans. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Paul 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. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. OTC is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 759 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OTC is $5,216. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,368. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from OTC accumulate an average of $12,963 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at OTC. In 2020-2021 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Missouri landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. MTI - Springfield, Missouri is a private for-profit institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 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.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 404 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Iowa Tech Community College is $4,922. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,946. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $10,123 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Western Iowa Tech Community College 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.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 282 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend M State, expect to pay an average of $5,900 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,049 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at M State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. DMACC is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 411 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,031 in student loans. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that DMACC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 419 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Students from Iowa who attend Kirkwood Community College full time pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
One thing to take note of is that Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, the small public school handed out 268 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Kansas who attend Kansas City Kansas Community College full time pay an average of $3,164 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,244. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,146 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Kansas City Kansas 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 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Washburn Institute of Technology came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small public school is located in Topeka, Kansas, and 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.
One thing to take note of is that Washburn Tech does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 1% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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.
If you want to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College, expect to pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from St Cloud Technical and Community College accumulate an average of $10,441 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is a very small private for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 282 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,378 in student loans. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Iowa Western 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 #16 on the list. Council Bluffs, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 289 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,540 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa Western Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,690. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,985 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Iowa Western Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northland Community and Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 258 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Northland Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $11,274 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd 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 #18 on the list. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 247 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Central Lakes College is $6,140. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,266 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 31% were women.
Central Lakes College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 34% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Riverland Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Austin, Minnesota, and it awarded 183 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Riverland Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,249. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Riverland Community College accumulate an average of $11,885 in student debt by the time they complete 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. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Dakota County 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 #20 on the 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.
DCTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,419. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,454 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 200 students in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,765. This amount may be reduced 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.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Minnesota, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 87% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Century College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 448 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Century College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,105. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Century College accumulate an average of $14,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Century College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 272 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Anoka Technical 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Anoka Technical College accumulate an average of $14,538 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Anoka Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Johnson County Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Johnson County Community College is a fairly large public school located in Overland Park, Kansas that handed out 323 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Kansas who attend JCCC full time pay an average of $2,784 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,472. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,589 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at JCCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #25, Minnesota West Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Granite Falls, Minnesota that handed out 174 undergraduate 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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,924 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College
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 | Aveda Institute - Minneapolis | Minneapolis, MN |
| 46 | Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA |
| 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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