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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 2023 rankings named Danville Community College the best school in Virginia for trade school students working on their associate degree. Danville Community College is a small public school located in Danville, Virginia that handed out 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Danville Community College is $4,725. 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 $11,262 in student loans.
Danville Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online 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. This large public school is located in Annandale, Virginia, and it awarded 5,692 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Northern Virginia Community College full time pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. On average, associate degree students take out $15,263 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 23 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Radford University landed the # 3 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 68 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Radford full time pay an average of $11,916 in tuition and fees. 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.
Online courses are available at Radford, 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 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 very small private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 23 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
South University, Virginia Beach does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,560. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $24,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Virginia Beach. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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.
Students from Virginia who attend TNCC full time pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Online courses are available at TNCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
ECPI University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,812 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at ECPI University is $18,484. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price 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.
ECPI University 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 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, John Tyler Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,270 in student loans.
Online courses are available at John Tyler Community College, 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 56% took at least some of their classes online.
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. This small public school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 272 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend WCC full time. Out-of-state students 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Tidewater Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Tidewater Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 2,216 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tidewater Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,564. On average, associate degree students take out $13,855 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tidewater Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 485 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at PVCC is $4,790. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school awarded 405 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,853 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Virginia Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,856. On average, associate degree students take out $8,271 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 654 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees if they attend Virginia Western Community College full time. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Reynolds 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 #14 on the list. Reynolds Community College is located in Richmond, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,104 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Virginia who attend Reynolds Community College full time pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Reynolds Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
New River Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a public institution located in Dublin, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 494 associate degrees 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Blue Ridge Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. BRCC is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 441 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BRCC. Out-of-state students 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BRCC. 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 ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,156 associate degrees to qualified students.
Liberty University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,203. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $25,145 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Liberty University, 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 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Abingdon, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 286 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend VHCC 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.
Online courses are available at VHCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. MECC is located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 286 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MECC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MECC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Southwest Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, the small public school handed out 322 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,733 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Virginia full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,736.
Southwest Virginia 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, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Middletown, Virginia. It awarded 790 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lord Fairfax Community College is $4,739. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,742. Associate Degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College accumulate an average of $12,394 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Lord Fairfax Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a small private not-for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 313 associate degrees 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. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
American National University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. American National University is a private for-profit institution located in Salem, Virginia. The school has a small population, 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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