Why This Matters
-
MANY OCCUPATIONS REQUIRE THIS LEVEL OF EDUCATION
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 50 occupations that require a postsecondary certificate for entry-level positions.
-
EARN UP TO $130,000+
Some certification-level occupations pay quite well. For example, the median annual wage for theatrical and performance makeup artists is over six figures.
-
ENTER A FIELD WITH 50,000+ OPENINGS
Some certification-level occupations, such as nursing assistants, will offer tens of thousands of new job openings over the next decade.
Our Research
This list features some of the best certificate programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of certificate programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 Best Certificate Programs
intelligent score 99.89
Award
Intelligent Pick
Rankings
#5 College Value
#14 Accredited Schools Online
School Information
Lynchburg, VA
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 50%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
We selected Liberty University as the best institution for earning a certificate due to its robust selection of certificate programs. They include undergraduate certificates for those with a high school degree, graduate certificates for those with a bachelor's degree or higher, and post-graduate certificates for those with a master's degree or higher. Overall, more than 100 certificate programs are available. Note that Liberty is a private Christian college, and residential on-campus students are required to attend Convocation regularly. In addition to religious majors like biblical studies and Christian ministry, Liberty also offers certificates for subject areas such as accounting, business administration, and web development.
Award
Intelligent Pick
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18 - 21
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$815
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-424-9595
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18 - 21
intelligent score 99.74
Award
Best Agriculture Program
Rankings
#2 College Value
School Information
Springfield, MO
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 87%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Missouri State University is best known for its William H. Darr College of Agriculture, which offers certificate programs for soil science, sustainable food production, and international plant science. Missouri State's Fruit Experiment Station and Darr Agricultural Center provide agriculture students state-of-the-art facilities (including research plots for grapes, wolfberries, and garlic) and plenty of hands-on learning opportunities.
Award
Best Agriculture Program
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
13 - 20
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$296
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
417-836-5000
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
13 - 20
intelligent score 99.56
Award
Best Business Program
Rankings
#3 College Value
School Information
Greenville, NC
Graduation Rate: 67%
Admission Rate: 88%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
A wide variety of certificate programs are available to business students at East Carolina University (ECU). If you are currently working on or have already obtained your MBA, ECU allows you to specialize in a particular industry by earning a certificate in finance, healthcare management, or sports management. They offer graduate certificates in hospitality management, international management, lean six-sigma black belt, and organizational leadership. At the undergraduate level, ECU provides certificates in applied data analytics, professional selling, and entrepreneurship.
Award
Best Business Program
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$305
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
252-328-6640
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Dec
intelligent score 99.37
Award
Best Sustainability Program
Rankings
#4 College Value
School Information
Boone, NC
Graduation Rate: 74%
Admission Rate: 80%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Large
Appalachian State University offers an undergraduate certificate program for photovoltaics, which covers the fundamentals of renewable energy and will show you how to design, install, and maintain a solar power system. They also offer a Climate Change Graduate Certificate. This interdisciplinary program helps students learn more about the physical science of climate change and prepares them for a career in developing climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Award
Best Sustainability Program
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$403
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
828-262-2120
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 98.86
Award
Best in the West
Rankings
#1 Best Colleges
School Information
Berkeley, CA
Graduation Rate: 93%
Admission Rate: 17%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
The University of California, Berkeley offers a unique Course Threads program that allows you to earn a certificate by taking a series of just three courses related to one another by an intellectual theme. As of this writing, the Course Threads options currently available include Carceral Geographies: Beyond the Prison, Culture and Globalization, Human Rights, Humanities and Environment, Law and Humanities, Sciences and Society, Technologies of Writing, and Visual Cultures. Remember that you'll need quite an impressive transcript to get accepted into this school, as Berkeley has an admission rate of only 17%.
Award
Best in the West
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
21-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$243
accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
510-642-2564
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
21-Dec
intelligent score 98.6
Award
Best IT Program
Rankings
#1 Accredited Schools Online
School Information
Waycross, G
Graduation Rate: 44%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
If you're interested in starting a tech industry career, consider attending Coastal Pines Technical College. They offer certificate programs such as AWS Cloud Solutions Specialist, iOS App Development in Swift, Cisco Network Specialist, Microsoft Network Administrator, Microsoft Office Application Specialist, and CompTIA A+ Certified Technician Preparation. These programs will allow you to become qualified for a high-paying tech job in much less time than it takes to earn a degree in this field.
Award
Best IT Program
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
30-Nov
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$100
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
912-287-4207
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
30-Nov
intelligent score 96.74
Award
Best Career Services
Rankings
#2 Accredited Schools Online
School Information
Clarkston, GA
Graduation Rate: 33%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers certificate programs for a variety of different subject areas, including nursing, marketing, photography, carpentry, auto repair, and crime scene investigation. Once you've earned your certificate, this school can provide you with resources for improving your job-hunting skills and advancing your career. Their Advising, Career, and Retention Services department can help develop resume writing, interviewing, and networking skills. They also regularly hold employer recruiting events and career fairs.
Award
Best Career Services
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Sep
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$100
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
404-297-9522
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Sep
intelligent score 96.44
Award
Best Education Program
Rankings
#8 College Value
School Information
Atlanta, GA
Graduation Rate: 56%
Admission Rate: 82%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Georgia State University's College of Education & Human Development offers graduate certificate programs for disciplines such as qualitative research in education, instructional design and technology, online learning design and development, literacy coaching, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This is an excellent option for students who love city life, as Georgia State University's campus is located right in the middle of downtown Atlanta.
Award
Best Education Program
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$291
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
404-413-7167
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20-Dec
intelligent score 95.92
Award
Best in the Midwest
Rankings
#9 College Value
School Information
Madison, WI
Graduation Rate: 87%
Admission Rate: 57%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Ninety undergraduate certificate programs and over a dozen graduate certificate programs are currently available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This selection includes options for STEM majors, such as certificates for physics, biomedical engineering, and nuclear engineering materials, as well as opportunities for social sciences students, including certificates for folklore, theater, dance, public policy, and LGBTQ+ studies. As an R1: Doctoral University with very high research activity, the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty on research projects and gain firsthand experience in their field.
Award
Best in the Midwest
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$497
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
608-262-3961
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 94.79
Award
Best in the Northeast
Rankings
#10 College Value
School Information
Orono, ME
Graduation Rate: 59%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
This is one of the best options for students who want to earn their certificate remotely. Many of their graduate certificate programs, including business administration, business analytics, data science, human nutrition, and surveying engineering, can be completed 100% online. You may want to attend your classes in person at this school, though - the University of Maine is located on an island and was designed as an arboretum. Their campus offers riverfront views, tree-lined paths, and ornamental gardens (it's stunning in the fall).
Award
Best in the Northeast
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$405
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
207-581-1865
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Dec
intelligent score 93.84
Award
Rankings
School Information
Denver, CO
Graduation Rate: 59%
Admission Rate: 78%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$783
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800.388.2366
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 91.76
Award
Rankings
School Information
West Lafayette, IN
Graduation Rate: 75%
Admission Rate: 67%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-34
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$416
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
765-494-1776
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-34
intelligent score 90.64
Award
Rankings
School Information
New Britain, CT
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-33
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$319
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
860-515-3800
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-33
intelligent score 90.57
Award
Rankings
School Information
Lafayette, LA
Graduation Rate: 52%
Admission Rate: 67%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,633
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
337-482-6965
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Dec
intelligent score 90.18
Award
Rankings
School Information
Memphis, TN
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$521
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
901-678-0378
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 89.64
Award
Rankings
School Information
Lawrence, KS
Graduation Rate: 64%
Admission Rate: 91%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$336
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
785-864-3624
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20
intelligent score 89.44
Award
Rankings
School Information
Paducah, KY
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20 - 53
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$182
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
855-469-5282
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
20 - 53
intelligent score 88.72
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tuscaloosa, AL
Graduation Rate: 68%
Admission Rate: 80%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$545
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
205-348-8600
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15
intelligent score 88.27
Award
Rankings
School Information
Bowling Green, KY
Graduation Rate: 47%
Admission Rate: 98%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$617
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
270-745-2551
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Dec
intelligent score 87.23
Award
Rankings
School Information
Anchorage, AK
Graduation Rate: 32%
Admission Rate: 77%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-45
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$234 - $282
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
907-786-1800
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
Dec-45
intelligent score 87.07
Award
Rankings
School Information
Granite Falls, MN
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
30-Sep
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$194
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-658-2330
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
30-Sep
intelligent score 85.6
Award
Rankings
School Information
Grand Forks, ND
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 87%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$407
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
701-777-3000
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Dec
intelligent score 83.63
Award
Rankings
School Information
Montclair, NJ
Graduation Rate: 71%
Admission Rate: 83%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$444
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
973-655-4000
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 83.53
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tucson, AZ
Graduation Rate: 64%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Sep
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$823
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
520-621-3237
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15-Sep
intelligent score 82.71
Award
Rankings
School Information
Lexington, KY
Graduation Rate: 64%
Admission Rate: 96%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$762
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
859-257-6076
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
18-Dec
intelligent score 82.02
Award
Rankings
School Information
Big Rapids, MI
Graduation Rate: 58%
Admission Rate: 82%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
6
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$467 - $711
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
231-591-2000
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
6
intelligent score 81.74
Award
Rankings
School Information
Sanford, FL
Graduation Rate: 41%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Sep
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$104
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
407-708-2153
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
28-Sep
intelligent score 81.57
Award
Rankings
School Information
Cocoa, FL
Graduation Rate: 41%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
16-Dec
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$128
accreditation
Southern association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
321-632-1111
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
16-Dec
intelligent score 80.66
Award
Rankings
School Information
Bemidji, MN
Graduation Rate: 44%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
16
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$229
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
218-333-6600
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
16
intelligent score 80.17
Award
Rankings
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 40%
Admission Rate: 94%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$700
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15
intelligent score 80.11
Award
Rankings
School Information
Storrs, CT
Graduation Rate: 83%
Admission Rate: 56%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15 - 30
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,010
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
860-486-4830
Delivery Format
On-Campus, Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
15 - 30
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
When you’re deciding on which particular certificate program to pursue, it’s important to consider how much money you’ll be able to make. In addition to theatrical makeup artists and their median annual wage of $134,750, some of the highest-earning occupations at this education level include ship engineers ($82,410 per year) and auto damage insurance appraisers ($62,680).
You may also want to avoid associate-level occupations that tend to earn the lowest wages. These include manicurists/pedicurists ($29,210), barbers ($29,970), and private household cooks ($42,920).
Another factor to consider is security — this may be more important to you than earning potential. Indeed, even though the average theatrical makeup artist makes over six figures, there’s a lot of competition for jobs with only 300 new openings expected over the next decade.
You’ll have an easier time finding work if you enter a field that’s in high demand. For example, certificate-level occupations that are projected to have more than 50,000 openings over the next decade include tractor-trailer truck drivers, nursing assistants, and hairdressers/hairstylists.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching certificate programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Generally, you will only need a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for certificate programs.
- How long does it take to complete this program? The amount of time required to complete these programs depends on your schedule and the number of credits that are required to earn the certificate. Most certificate programs take about one to two semesters of full-time coursework to complete.
Whenever you’re considering a particular program, take note of the application deadlines, materials you need to submit, and any other important details for admissions. This information can be found by reviewing the school’s website or contacting a campus official.
You should take time to research the scholarships, grants, and loans that are available to you as well. If you currently have a job, you may also be able to receive tuition benefits from your employer.