Best Certificate Programs of 2023
Postsecondary education increases your earning potential, but obtaining a degree can be quite expensive and time-consuming. Certificate programs represent a more affordable option for your career path, and they allow you to improve your skill set in much less time than it would take to earn a degree. Take the next step in your career by completing a postsecondary certificate program.
Why This Matters
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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.
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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.
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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
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.