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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 analysis found Danville Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Virginia. Located in Danville, Virginia, the small public school awarded 325 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.
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.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Piedmont Virginia Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 212 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.
You may have the opportunity 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.
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 fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 38 basic certificates 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.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 23 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Wytheville Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. WCC is a public institution located in Wytheville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 123 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend WCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WCC. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mountain Empire Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. MECC is located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 499 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend MECC full time. Out-of-state students 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, Tidewater Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,133 students 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,564.
One thing to take note of is that Tidewater Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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 came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Alberta, Virginia that handed out 301 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,695 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southside Virginia Community College. Out-of-state students 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 came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 364 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Liberty University is $16,203. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
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.
With a ranking of #9, Northern Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 892 basic certificates 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Blue Ridge Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, the small public school awarded 551 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they attend BRCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,367.
Online courses are available at BRCC, 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, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 205 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at TNCC is $4,806. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,809.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at TNCC. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Middletown, Virginia, and it awarded 281 basic certificates 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.
Lord Fairfax 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 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class 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. Central Virginia Community College is a small public school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 366 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Central Virginia Community College is $4,853. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,856.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Virginia Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Virginia Highlands 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 #14 on the list. VHCC is a small public school situated in Abingdon, Virginia. It awarded 187 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend VHCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at VHCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 60% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Virginia Western Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 484 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
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.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Southwest Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Southwest Virginia is located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 219 basic certificates to qualified students.
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.
Southwest Virginia does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Patrick Henry is $4,720. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,723.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Patrick Henry does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #18, Reynolds Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 374 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they attend Reynolds Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,001.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Reynolds Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, New River Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. 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.
NRCC 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 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
John Tyler 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 #20 on the list. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 283 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at John Tyler Community College is $4,800. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,803.
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.
Paul D Camp Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Franklin, Virginia, and it awarded 64 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Paul D Camp Community College is $4,730. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,733.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Paul D Camp Community College. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Germanna Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,916.
Germanna 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. 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 landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Glenns, Virginia, and it awarded 398 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at RCC is $4,820. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,823.
RCC 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. 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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