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Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

82 Schools Ranked
$5,330 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 82 schools in the Plains States Region to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare 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 Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas
494 Total Awards
$4,470 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Hutchinson Community College the best value school in the Plains States Region for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the medium-sized public school awarded 494 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Hutchinson Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,470 in tuition and fees each year.

Hutchinson Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

221 Total Awards
$4,000 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Neosho County Community College is a great place for healthcare students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Neosho County Community College is a public institution located in Chanute, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 221 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Neosho County Community College are $4,000 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Neosho County Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Neosho County Community College

#3

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, Nebraska
27 Total Awards
$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southeast Community College Area. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Community College is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,780 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Southeast Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 42% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Southeast Community College Area Report

#4

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
120 Total Awards
$4,590 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Central Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Plains States Region . This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Island, Nebraska, and it awarded 120 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Community College are $4,590 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Community College. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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71 Total Awards
$5,372 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Rochester Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Plains States Region . Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 71 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rochester Community and Technical College are $5,372 a year.

Rochester Community and Technical 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 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its great value ranking, Rochester Community and Technical College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

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436 Total Awards
$4,826 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 436 students in 2020-2021.

Western Iowa Tech Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

2 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Metropolitan Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 2 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at MCC, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Metropolitan Community College

#8

Garden City Community College

Garden City, Kansas
158 Total Awards
$4,020 Average Tuition & Fees

Garden City Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Garden City, Kansas, the small public school handed out 158 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Garden City Community College are $4,020 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Garden City Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Garden City Community College Report

#9

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
181 Total Awards
$5,907 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Century College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 181 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Century College are $5,907 a year.

Century College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its great value ranking, Century College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read full report on Century College

#10

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
430 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. JCCC is a fairly large public school situated in Overland Park, Kansas. It awarded 430 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since JCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#11

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, Minnesota
238 Total Awards
$6,075 Average Tuition & Fees

Anoka Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka Technical College is a small public school located in Anoka, Minnesota that handed out 238 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Anoka Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,075 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Anoka Technical College. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Anoka Technical College also did well on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Anoka Technical College Report

#12

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, Kansas
167 Total Awards
$4,544 Average Tuition & Fees

Barton County Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Barton Community College is a small public school situated in Great Bend, Kansas. It awarded 167 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Barton Community College are $4,544 per year.

Barton 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Barton County Community College Report

18 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Alexandria, Minnesota, and it awarded 18 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

ATCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ATCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#14

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, Minnesota
24 Total Awards
$6,380 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. NTC is a very small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 24 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTC are $6,380 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NTC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Read More…

#15

Dodge City Community College

Dodge City, Kansas
180 Total Awards
$4,830 Average Tuition & Fees

Dodge City Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Dodge City Community College is a public institution located in Dodge City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 180 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dodge City Community College are $4,830 per year.

Online courses are available at Dodge City Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Dodge City Community College

#16

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
36 Total Awards
$6,718 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Watertown, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 36 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LATI are $6,718 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LATI. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, LATI also is in the top 15% of our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Read More…

79 Total Awards
$4,832 Average Tuition & Fees

Seward County Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Liberal, Kansas, the small public school handed out 79 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SCCC are $4,832 a year.

SCCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 23% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#18

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
134 Total Awards
$5,809 Average Tuition & Fees

Inver Hills Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Inver Hills Community College is a small public school located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota that handed out 134 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

IHCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,809 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at IHCC, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Inver Hills Community College Report

#19

Cloud County Community College

Concordia, Kansas
3 Total Awards
$3,570 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Cloud County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Concordia, Kansas, and it awarded 3 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cloud County Community College are $3,570 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cloud County Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#20

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota
76 Total Awards
$6,052 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 76 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Northland Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,052 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northland Community and Technical College

#21

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
68 Total Awards
$6,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota County Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 68 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DCTC are $6,208 a year.

DCTC 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 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#22

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
70 Total Awards
$5,741 Average Tuition & Fees

Hennepin Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 70 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,741 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Hennepin Technical College Report

#23

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City, Kansas
260 Total Awards
$6,510 Average Tuition & Fees

Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, the small public school awarded 260 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Kansas City Kansas Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,510 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Kansas City Kansas Community College Report

#24

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
203 Total Awards
$6,041 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Paul College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 203 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,041 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Saint Paul College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#25

Flint Hills Technical College

Emporia, Kansas
86 Total Awards
$7,032 Average Tuition & Fees

Flint Hills Technical College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. This small public school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 86 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Flint Hills Technical College are $7,032 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Flint Hills Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 38% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Flint Hills Technical College

View Best Value Basic Certificate Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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