2023 Best Basic Certificate 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 Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Virginia to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate 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 basic certificate. Located in Danville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 325 basic certificate awards 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
Danville 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 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Piedmont Virginia Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Virginia. This medium-sized public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 212 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,790 in tuition and fees if they attend PVCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,793.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since PVCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at ECPI University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Virginia. ECPI University is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $18,484 to cover tuition and fees at ECPI University. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
One thing to take note of is that ECPI University does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Wytheville Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Wytheville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 123 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WCC is $4,725. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728.
One thing to take note of is that WCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Mountain Empire Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Mountain Empire Community College is a small public school located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia that handed out 499 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MECC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728.
One thing to take note of is that MECC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
Tidewater Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 1,133 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they attend Tidewater Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,564.
Online courses are available at Tidewater Community College, 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, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Southside Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Southside Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Alberta, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 301 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,695 in tuition and fees if they attend Southside Virginia Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,698.
Online courses are available at Southside Virginia Community College, 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, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Liberty University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 364 students 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Liberty University. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school awarded 892 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees if they attend Northern Virginia Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,648.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #10, Blue Ridge Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. BRCC is a public institution located in Weyers Cave, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 551 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BRCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,367.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BRCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. TNCC is located in Hampton, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 205 basic certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TNCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,809.
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.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Middletown, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 281 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,739 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lord Fairfax Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,742.
Online courses are available at Lord Fairfax Community College, 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, 50% 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 a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 366 students 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,856.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Virginia Community College. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. VHCC is a small public school situated in Abingdon, Virginia. It awarded 187 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend VHCC full time pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
VHCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Virginia Western Community College is located in Roanoke, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 484 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Virginia Western Community College is $5,103. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,106.
One thing to take note of is that Virginia Western Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Southwest Virginia is a small public school situated in Cedar Bluff, Virginia. It awarded 219 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Southwest Virginia full time pay an average of $4,733 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,736.
One thing to take note of is that Southwest Virginia does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Patrick Henry Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Patrick Henry Community College is a small public school located in Martinsville, Virginia that handed out 81 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,720 in tuition and fees if they attend Patrick Henry full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,723.
One thing to take note of is that Patrick Henry does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Reynolds Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 374 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Reynolds Community College full time pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,001.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Reynolds Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
New River Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. New River Community College is a small public school located in Dublin, Virginia that handed out 335 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NRCC is $4,697. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,699.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NRCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #20, John Tyler Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Chester, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 283 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend John Tyler Community College full time pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,803.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at John Tyler Community College. 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.
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Franklin, Virginia, the small public school handed out 64 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,730 in tuition and fees if they attend Paul D Camp Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,733.
Online courses are available at Paul D Camp Community College, 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, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Germanna Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Locust Grove, Virginia, and it awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Germanna Community College full time pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,916.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Germanna Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Rappahannock Community College is a small public school located in Glenns, Virginia that handed out 398 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend RCC full time pay an average of $4,820 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,823.
Some students may be able to take online classes at RCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
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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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