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2023 Best Trade Schools in Virginia

38 Schools Ranked
$43,660 Average Earnings
$31,410 Avg Student Debt

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 Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 38 schools in Virginia to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
5,530 Total Awards

Our analysis found James Madison University to be the best school for trade school students in Virginia. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the large public school handed out 5,530 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full James Madison University Report

#2

Danville Community College

Danville, Virginia
779 Total Awards

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Danville Community College is a great place for trade school students. Danville Community College is located in Danville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 779 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Danville Community College

#3

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
7,707 Total Awards

The excellent programs at Virginia Commonwealth University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade schools in Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 7,707 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#4

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
5,241 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Old Dominion University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the large public school handed out 5,241 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Old Dominion University Report

#5

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
2,248 Total Awards

The excellent programs at Radford University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade schools in Virginia. Radford is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 2,248 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#6

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, Virginia
9,087 Total Awards

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 9,087 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Report

#7

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
1,061 Total Awards

Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,061 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Piedmont Virginia Community College Report

#8

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
4,022 Total Awards

ECPI University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. ECPI University is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,022 degrees to qualified students.

Full ECPI University Report

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
10,335 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, George Mason University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school handed out 10,335 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#10

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
25,513 Total Awards

With a ranking of #10, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25,513 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Liberty University

#11

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
473 Total Awards

With a ranking of #11, Wytheville Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. This small public school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 473 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Wytheville Community College

#12

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
1,186 Total Awards

Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. TNCC is a public institution located in Hampton, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,186 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#13

South University, Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia
114 Total Awards

South University, Virginia Beach ranked #13 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. South University, Virginia Beach is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 114 degrees to qualified students.

Full South University, Virginia Beach Report

#14

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
1,557 Total Awards

John Tyler Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 1,557 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#15

Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, Virginia
3,462 Total Awards

Tidewater Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and it awarded 3,462 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Tidewater Community College

#17

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
975 Total Awards

Mountain Empire Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Big Stone Gap, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 975 students in 2021-2022.

Full Mountain Empire Community College Report

952 Total Awards

Southside Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Alberta, Virginia that handed out 952 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#19

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, Virginia
587 Total Awards

With a ranking of #19, Mary Baldwin University did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Mary Baldwin is located in Staunton, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 587 degrees to qualified students.

Full Mary Baldwin University Report

#20

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
1,266 Total Awards

With a ranking of #20, Blue Ridge Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Weyers Cave, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,266 students in 2021-2022.

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#21

Dabney S Lancaster Community College

Clifton Forge, Virginia
331 Total Awards

Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Clifton Forge, Virginia, the very small public school awarded 331 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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#22

Central Virginia Community College

Lynchburg, Virginia
1,133 Total Awards

Central Virginia Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,133 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Central Virginia Community College Report

#23

Centura College - Newport News

Newport News, Virginia
178 Total Awards

Centura College - Newport News came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Centura College - Newport News is a very small private for-profit school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 178 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Centura College - Newport News

#24

Patrick Henry Community College

Martinsville, Virginia
699 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, Patrick Henry Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Patrick Henry Community College is a small public school located in Martinsville, Virginia that handed out 699 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Patrick Henry Community College Report

#25

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
1,392 Total Awards

With a ranking of #25, Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Middletown, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,392 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Lord Fairfax Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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