Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

38 Schools Ranked
$13,018 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 38 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best value programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Schools in Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Danville Community College

Danville, Virginia
779 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Danville Community College the best value school in Virginia for trade school students working on their degree. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 779 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Danville Community College are $10,728 per year.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Danville Community College is ranked #2 for overall quality in Virginia.

Read More…

#2

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
1,061 Total Awards
$10,793 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Piedmont Virginia Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,061 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PVCC are $10,793 a year.

PVCC also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in Virginia list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Piedmont Virginia Community College

#3

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
473 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wytheville Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 473 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCC are $10,728 per year.

Full Wytheville Community College Report

#4

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
1,186 Total Awards
$10,809 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Thomas Nelson Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Virginia. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,186 degrees in 2021-2022.

TNCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,809 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#5

Reynolds Community College

Richmond, Virginia
1,558 Total Awards
$11,001 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Reynolds Community College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This medium-sized public school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 1,558 degrees in 2021-2022.

Reynolds Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,001 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#6

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
1,557 Total Awards
$10,803 Average Tuition & Fees

John Tyler Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Chester, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,557 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at John Tyler Community College are $10,803 per year.

Read full report on John Tyler Community College

#7

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, Virginia
9,087 Total Awards
$11,648 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia ranking. Annandale, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 9,087 students in 2021-2022.

Northern Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,648 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Northern Virginia Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Virginia list.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Report

#8

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
975 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Mountain Empire Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. MECC is a small public school situated in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It awarded 975 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MECC are $10,728 per year.

Read More…

952 Total Awards
$10,698 Average Tuition & Fees

Southside Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small public school is located in Alberta, Virginia, and it awarded 952 degrees in 2021-2022.

Southside Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,698 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Report

#10

Dabney S Lancaster Community College

Clifton Forge, Virginia
331 Total Awards
$10,743 Average Tuition & Fees

Dabney S Lancaster Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a very small public school located in Clifton Forge, Virginia that handed out 331 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DSLCC are $10,743 a year.

Read full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College

#11

Central Virginia Community College

Lynchburg, Virginia
1,133 Total Awards
$10,856 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #11 on the list. Central Virginia Community College is a small public school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 1,133 degrees in 2021-2022.

Central Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,856 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Central Virginia Community College

#12

Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, Virginia
3,462 Total Awards
$11,564 Average Tuition & Fees

Tidewater Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Tidewater Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,462 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tidewater Community College are $11,564 a year.

Read full report on Tidewater Community College

#12

Patrick Henry Community College

Martinsville, Virginia
699 Total Awards
$10,723 Average Tuition & Fees

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Patrick Henry Community College is a small public school located in Martinsville, Virginia that handed out 699 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Patrick Henry are $10,723 per year.

Read full report on Patrick Henry Community College

#14

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
1,392 Total Awards
$10,742 Average Tuition & Fees

Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Middletown, Virginia, and it awarded 1,392 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lord Fairfax Community College are $10,742 per year.

Read full report on Lord Fairfax Community College

704 Total Awards
$10,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Abingdon, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 704 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at VHCC are $10,728 a year.

Read More…

#16

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
1,266 Total Awards
$11,367 Average Tuition & Fees

Blue Ridge Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia ranking. BRCC is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,266 degrees to qualified students.

BRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,367 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#17

New River Community College

Dublin, Virginia
942 Total Awards
$10,699 Average Tuition & Fees

New River Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a small public school situated in Dublin, Virginia. It awarded 942 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NRCC are $10,699 a year.

Full New River Community College Report

1,184 Total Awards
$11,106 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 1,184 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Virginia Western Community College are $11,106 a year.

Full Virginia Western Community College Report

#19

Southwest Virginia Community College

Cedar Bluff, Virginia
617 Total Awards
$10,736 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia list. Southwest Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia that handed out 617 degrees in 2021-2022.

Southwest Virginia undergraduate students pay an average of $10,736 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#20

Paul D Camp Community College

Franklin, Virginia
265 Total Awards
$10,733 Average Tuition & Fees

Paul D Camp Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Paul D Camp Community College is located in Franklin, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 265 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Paul D Camp Community College are $10,733 a year.

Read More…

#21

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
5,241 Total Awards
$31,170 Average Tuition & Fees

Old Dominion University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,241 students in 2021-2022.

Old Dominion undergraduate students pay an average of $31,170 in tuition and fees each year.

Old Dominion also made our Best Trade Schools in Virginia list, coming in at #4.

Read More…

#22

Rappahannock Community College

Glenns, Virginia
923 Total Awards
$10,823 Average Tuition & Fees

Rappahannock Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Glenns, Virginia, the small public school handed out 923 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RCC are $10,823 per year.

Read full report on Rappahannock Community College

#23

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, Virginia
2,211 Total Awards
$10,916 Average Tuition & Fees

Germanna Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Locust Grove, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,211 degrees in 2021-2022.

Germanna Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,916 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Germanna Community College

#24

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
5,530 Total Awards
$30,152 Average Tuition & Fees

James Madison University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. JMU is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,530 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at JMU are $30,152 a year.

JMU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Trade Schools in Virginia list.

Full James Madison University Report

#25

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
2,248 Total Awards
$24,453 Average Tuition & Fees

Radford University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Virginia ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 2,248 degrees in 2021-2022.

Radford undergraduate students pay an average of $24,453 in tuition and fees each year.

Radford did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Trade Schools in Virginia list.

Read More…

View Best Value Trade Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

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