2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. 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 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 23 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Danville Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Virginia. Danville Community College is a public institution located in Danville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Danville Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. On average, associate degree students take out $11,262 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Danville Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northern Virginia Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,692 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northern Virginia Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. Associate Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $15,263 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northern Virginia Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Radford University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Virginia. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 68 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $11,916 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Radford. Out-of-state students pay an average of $24,453. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,557 in student loans.
Radford does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at South University, Virginia Beach helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Virginia. South University, Virginia Beach is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 23 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend South University, Virginia Beach, expect to pay an average of $16,560 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,698 in student loans.
South University, Virginia Beach does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 23 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Thomas Nelson Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 809 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TNCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,809. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,524 in student loans.
TNCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #6, ECPI University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. ECPI University is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ECPI University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,484. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $20,059 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ECPI University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
John Tyler Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 982 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend John Tyler Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,803. Associate Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $12,270 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at John Tyler Community College. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Wytheville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. WCC is a small public school situated in Wytheville, Virginia. It awarded 272 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend WCC full time pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,399 in student loans.
WCC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Tidewater Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school handed out 2,216 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Tidewater Community College full time pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,564. Associate Degree recipients from Tidewater Community College accumulate an average of $13,855 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Tidewater Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. PVCC is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 485 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,790 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend PVCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,793. On average, associate degree students take out $12,863 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PVCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Central Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 405 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,853 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Virginia Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,856. On average, associate degree students take out $8,271 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Central Virginia Community College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Virginia Western Community College is a public institution located in Roanoke, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 654 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Virginia Western Community College full time pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,106. Associate Degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College accumulate an average of $15,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Virginia Western 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. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Reynolds Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,104 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they attend Reynolds Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,001. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,943 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Reynolds Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, New River Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Dublin, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 494 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,697 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NRCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,699. On average, associate degree students take out $12,123 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at NRCC, 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Blue Ridge Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Weyers Cave, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 441 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they attend BRCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,367. Associate Degree recipients from BRCC accumulate an average of $13,633 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
BRCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Liberty University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 1,156 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Liberty University, expect to pay an average of $16,203 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $25,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Liberty University. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. This small public school is located in Abingdon, Virginia, and it awarded 286 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at VHCC is $4,725. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at VHCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MECC is $4,725. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
One thing to take note of is that MECC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, the small public school awarded 322 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,733 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southwest Virginia. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,736.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southwest Virginia. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Middletown, Virginia, and it awarded 790 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,739 in tuition and fees if they attend Lord Fairfax Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,742. On average, associate degree students take out $12,394 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lord Fairfax Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 313 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,211 to cover tuition and fees at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,863 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
American National University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Salem, Virginia, and it awarded 64 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,215 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out American National University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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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