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Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia

2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia

17 Schools Ranked
$8,560 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,751 Avg Student Debt

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

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 West Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 17 schools in West Virginia to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in West Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
153 Total Awards
$21,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,036 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Charleston to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in West Virginia. UC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charleston, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 153 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend UC, expect to pay an average of $21,500 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 $14,036 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Charleston Report

#2

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, West Virginia
377 Total Awards
$5,086 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,153 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pierpont Community and Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Pierpont Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Fairmont, West Virginia. It awarded 377 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,086 in tuition and fees if they attend Pierpont Community and Technical College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,056. Associate Degree recipients from Pierpont Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,153 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pierpont Community and Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Pierpont Community and Technical College Report

#3

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia
291 Total Awards
$14,102 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,989 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 291 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend WVJC Morgantown, expect to pay an average of $14,102 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $10,989 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WVJC Morgantown. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown Report

#4

West Liberty University

West Liberty, West Virginia
28 Total Awards
$23,932 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend West Liberty University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia list. West Liberty, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from West Liberty University accumulate an average of $23,932 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that West Liberty University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on West Liberty University

#5

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
384 Total Awards
$4,128 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,189 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Martinsburg, West Virginia that handed out 384 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from West Virginia pay an average of $4,128 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,464. On average, associate degree students take out $16,189 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#6

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
138 Total Awards
$8,604 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,306 Avg Student Debt

Marshall University 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 #6 on the list. Marshall University is a fairly large public school located in Huntington, West Virginia that handed out 138 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from West Virginia who attend Marshall University full time pay an average of $8,604 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,658. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,306 in student loans.

Marshall University 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.

Full Marshall University Report

#7

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, West Virginia
339 Total Awards
$5,132 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,721 Avg Student Debt

BridgeValley Community & Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia ranking. This small public school is located in South Charleston, West Virginia, and it awarded 339 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BridgeValley Community & Technical College is $5,132. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,598. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,721 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at BridgeValley Community & Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full BridgeValley Community & Technical College Report

#8

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
3,322 Total Awards
$7,360 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,438 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, American Public University System did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This large private for-profit school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 3,322 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend American Military University, expect to pay an average of $7,360 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 $20,438 in student loans.

American Military University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#9

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

Cross Lanes, West Virginia
79 Total Awards
$14,529 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,309 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, West Virginia Junior College - Charleston did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, and it awarded 79 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at WVJC Charleston is $14,529. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $8,309 in loans while pursuing their degree.

WVJC Charleston does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Full West Virginia Junior College - Charleston Report

#10

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Huntington, West Virginia
228 Total Awards
$9,089 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Mountwest Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. MCTC is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 228 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from MCTC accumulate an average of $9,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCTC. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Mountwest Community and Technical College Report

#11

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia
153 Total Awards
$8,008 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,623 Avg Student Debt

Fairmont State University 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 #11 on the list. Fairmont, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 153 students in 2021-2022.

Students from West Virginia who attend Fairmont State full time pay an average of $8,008 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,836. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,623 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Fairmont State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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.

Full Fairmont State University Report

#12

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia
342 Total Awards
$4,132 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,965 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia University at Parkersburg landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public institution located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 342 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from West Virginia pay an average of $4,132 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend West Virginia University at Parkersburg. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,124. On average, associate degree students take out $13,965 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full West Virginia University at Parkersburg Report

#13

Bluefield State College

Bluefield, West Virginia
106 Total Awards
$9,840 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,651 Avg Student Debt

Bluefield State College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Bluefield State College is located in Bluefield, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 106 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from West Virginia pay an average of $9,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bluefield State College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,030. On average, associate degree students take out $16,651 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Bluefield State College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#14

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling, West Virginia
222 Total Awards
$4,394 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,405 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Northern 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. Wheeling, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 222 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WVNCC is $4,394. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,362. Associate Degree recipients from WVNCC accumulate an average of $11,405 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at WVNCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on West Virginia Northern Community College

#15

Mountain State College

Parkersburg, West Virginia
9 Total Awards
$8,665 Average Tuition & Fees

Mountain State 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 #15 on the list. Parkersburg, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 9 students in 2021-2022.

Mountain State College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $8,665. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Mountain State College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Mountain State College Report

306 Total Awards
$4,359 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Southern is located in Mount Gay, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 306 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,359 in tuition and fees if they attend Southern full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,879.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southern. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

172 Total Awards
$8,782 Avg Student Debt

New River Community and Technical College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. New River Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Beaver, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 172 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from New River Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $8,782 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at New River Community and Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

View Best Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 17 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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