Find Trade Colleges

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. 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

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. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 779 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Danville Community College

#3

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
7,707 Total Awards

Out of the 38 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Commonwealth University landed the # 3 spot on the list. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,707 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Virginia Commonwealth University

#4

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
5,241 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Old Dominion University is a great place for trade school students. Old Dominion University is a large public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 5,241 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Old Dominion University Report

#5

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
2,248 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Radford University is a great place for trade school students. Located in Radford, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,248 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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 public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 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 landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,061 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Piedmont Virginia Community College Report

#8

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
4,022 Total Awards

ECPI University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.

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. GMU is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 10,335 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#10

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
25,513 Total Awards

Liberty University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 25,513 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Liberty University Report

#11

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
473 Total Awards

Wytheville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Wytheville, Virginia, the small public school awarded 473 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#12

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
1,186 Total Awards

Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 1,186 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Thomas Nelson Community College

#13

South University, Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, Virginia
114 Total Awards

South University, Virginia Beach landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. South University, Virginia Beach is a very small private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 114 degrees in 2021-2022.

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. 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.

Read full report on John Tyler Community College

#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 situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 3,462 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#17

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
975 Total Awards

Mountain Empire Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. 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.

Read More…

952 Total Awards

Southside Virginia Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Alberta, Virginia, the small public school awarded 952 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Report

#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 University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Staunton, Virginia that handed out 587 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Mary Baldwin University

#20

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
1,266 Total Awards

Blue Ridge Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,266 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Blue Ridge Community College Report

#21

Dabney S Lancaster Community College

Clifton Forge, Virginia
331 Total Awards

Dabney S Lancaster Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. 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.

Read full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College

#22

Central Virginia Community College

Lynchburg, Virginia
1,133 Total Awards

Central Virginia Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,133 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#23

Centura College - Newport News

Newport News, Virginia
178 Total Awards

Centura College - Newport News did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. 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

Patrick Henry Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. This small public school is located in Martinsville, Virginia, and it awarded 699 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#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. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Middletown, Virginia that handed out 1,392 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Lord Fairfax Community College Report

View Best Trade Schools Nationwide >

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.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.