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Best Trade Schools in Virginia

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. JMU is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,530 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on James Madison University

#2

Danville Community College

Danville, Virginia
779 Total Awards

Out of the 38 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Danville Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Danville Community College is a small public school located in Danville, Virginia that handed out 779 degrees in 2021-2022.

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. This large public school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 7,707 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Virginia Commonwealth University Report

#4

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
5,241 Total Awards

Out of the 38 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Old Dominion University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 5,241 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Old Dominion University

#5

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
2,248 Total Awards

Out of the 38 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Radford University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,248 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Radford University

#6

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, Virginia
9,087 Total Awards

Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 9,087 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Northern Virginia Community College

#7

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
1,061 Total Awards

Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 1,061 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Piedmont Virginia Community College

#8

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
4,022 Total Awards

ECPI University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on ECPI University

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
10,335 Total Awards

George Mason University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. This large public school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 10,335 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full George Mason University Report

#10

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
25,513 Total Awards

Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 25,513 students in 2021-2022.

Full Liberty University Report

#11

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
473 Total Awards

Wytheville Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Wytheville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 473 students 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 landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,186 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Thomas Nelson Community College Report

#13

South University, Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia
114 Total Awards

South University, Virginia Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the 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 came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,557 degrees to qualified students.

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#15

Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, Virginia
3,462 Total Awards

Tidewater Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Tidewater Community College is a fairly large public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 3,462 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#17

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
975 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Mountain Empire Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. MECC is a public institution located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 975 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Mountain Empire Community College Report

952 Total Awards

Southside Virginia Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public school situated in Alberta, Virginia. It awarded 952 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#19

Mary Baldwin University

Staunton, Virginia
587 Total Awards

Mary Baldwin University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Mary Baldwin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Staunton, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 587 degrees in 2021-2022.

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. Located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,266 degrees 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. DSLCC is a public institution located in Clifton Forge, Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 331 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Dabney S Lancaster Community College Report

#22

Central Virginia Community College

Lynchburg, Virginia
1,133 Total Awards

Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. This small public school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 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 ranked #23 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 178 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#24

Patrick Henry Community College

Martinsville, Virginia
699 Total Awards

Patrick Henry Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Patrick Henry is a public institution located in Martinsville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 699 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Patrick Henry Community College

#25

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
1,392 Total Awards

Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Middletown, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,392 students in 2021-2022.

Full Lord Fairfax Community College Report

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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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