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Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

125 Schools Ranked
$6,914 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,692 Avg Student Debt*

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 125 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
640 Total Awards
$6,769 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Madison Area Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for students working on their undergraduate certificate. This fairly large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 640 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,600 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Madison College. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Madison College also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #2.

Read full report on Madison Area Technical College

#2

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
201 Total Awards
$5,415 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 125 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Northcentral Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Wausau, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 201 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,125 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Central Technical College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

North Central Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full Northcentral Technical College Report

216 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Southwest Tech is a public institution located in Fennimore, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 216 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Southwest Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,378 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southwest Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.

Southwest Tech also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, coming in at #3.

Read full report on Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

#4

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
507 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chippewa Valley Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 507 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,690 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that CVTC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

CVTC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Read full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College

147 Total Awards
$3,998 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wayne County Community College District. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. WCCCD is located in Detroit, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCCCD are $3,998 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCCCD does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 32% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Wayne County Community College District Report

97 Total Awards
$4,032 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,149 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 125 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Washington State Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Washington State Community College is a small public school located in Marietta, Ohio that handed out 97 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSCC are $4,032 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,149 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WSCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Washington State Community College Report

#7

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
660 Total Awards
$6,861 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Appleton, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 660 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,693 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that FVTC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, FVTC also did well on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#8

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
319 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees

Moraine Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school situated in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It awarded 319 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,506 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Moraine Park Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 12% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Moraine Park Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#9

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
234 Total Awards
$6,687 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Western Technical College is a small public school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 234 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,687 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,287 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Western Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Western Technical College also is in the top 15% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Full Western Technical College Report

#10

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, Wisconsin
272 Total Awards
$6,056 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,326 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Lakeshore Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. This small public school is located in Cleveland, Wisconsin, and it awarded 272 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTC are $6,056 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,326 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at LTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Lakeshore Technical College Report

#10

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Green Bay, Wisconsin
731 Total Awards
$6,849 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 731 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,849 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,858 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that NWTC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, NWTC also did well on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

#12

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
137 Total Awards
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,779 Avg Student Debt

Oakland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 137 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakland Community College are $5,200 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,779 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Oakland Community College. In 2019-2020 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Oakland Community College

#13

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
386 Total Awards
$6,603 Average Tuition & Fees

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Waukesha County Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 386 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

WCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,603 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,678 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 17% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Waukesha County Technical College

#14

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
213 Total Awards
$6,351 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,316 Avg Student Debt

Mid-State Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Mid-State is located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 213 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,351 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,316 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mid-State does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Mid-State Technical College

#15

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
432 Total Awards
$6,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Shell Lake, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 432 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WITC are $6,960 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,674 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WITC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Report

#16

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan
1,219 Total Awards
$5,856 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,042 Avg Student Debt

Washtenaw Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Washtenaw Community College is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,219 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Washtenaw Community College are $5,856 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,042 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Washtenaw Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Washtenaw Community College

#17

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
237 Total Awards
$6,803 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,049 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Gateway Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Kenosha, Wisconsin that handed out 237 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,803 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,049 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gateway Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, Wisconsin
93 Total Awards
$6,683 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,874 Avg Student Debt

Blackhawk Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 93 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BTC are $6,683 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,874 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Blackhawk Technical College Report

#19

Delta College

University Center, Michigan
97 Total Awards
$7,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Delta College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Located in University Center, Michigan, the medium-sized public school awarded 97 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delta College are $7,100 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,723 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Delta College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

69 Total Awards
$9,239 Average Tuition & Fees

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Marion, Indiana. It awarded 69 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

IWU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,239 in tuition and fees each year.

IWU 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 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, IWU also did well on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#21

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
11,887 Total Awards
$8,927 Average Tuition & Fees

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11,887 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,607 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ivy Tech Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ivy Tech Community College also is in the top 10% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Read full report on Ivy Tech Community College

#22

Sinclair Community College

Dayton, Ohio
859 Total Awards
$8,076 Average Tuition & Fees

Sinclair Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 859 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Sinclair Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,076 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,679 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Sinclair Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Sinclair Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Read full report on Sinclair Community College

#23

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
313 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,698 Avg Student Debt

Black Hawk College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 313 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BHC are $7,650 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that BHC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Black Hawk College

256 Total Awards
$9,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 256 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cincinnati State are $9,090 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $18,887 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Cincinnati State does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cincinnati State also is in the top 20% of our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Report

#25

Kellogg Community College

Battle Creek, Michigan
178 Total Awards
$9,450 Average Tuition & Fees

Kellogg Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Battle Creek, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 178 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kellogg Community College are $9,450 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $29,955 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Kellogg Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its great value ranking, Kellogg Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.

Full Kellogg Community College Report

View Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI

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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