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2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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.
The Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 29 schools in Virginia to see which ones offered the best value undergraduate certificate 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.
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Top Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Danville Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Virginia. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 244 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Danville Community College are $10,728 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,426 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Danville Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Danville Community College also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list, coming in at #1.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northern Virginia Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school awarded 2,503 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
Northern Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,648 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northern Virginia Community College. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Northern Virginia Community College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Virginia.
Out of the 29 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southside Virginia Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Alberta, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 195 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southside Virginia Community College are $10,698 a year.
Southside Virginia 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 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Clifton Forge, Virginia, the very small public school handed out 108 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DSLCC are $10,743 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that DSLCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
DSLCC also claimed a spot on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Wytheville Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Virginia. Located in Wytheville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 78 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCC are $10,728 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,178 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #6, Patrick Henry Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Martinsville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 254 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Patrick Henry are $10,723 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Patrick Henry. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. PVCC is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 364 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PVCC are $10,793 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,129 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since PVCC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia ranking. VHCC is a public institution located in Abingdon, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 231 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at VHCC are $10,728 a year.
VHCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and it awarded 190 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
MECC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,728 in tuition and fees each year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MECC. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Middletown, Virginia, and it awarded 321 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lord Fairfax Community College are $10,742 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,159 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Lord Fairfax Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Reynolds Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia ranking. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 80 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Reynolds Community College are $11,001 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,716 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Reynolds Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Blue Ridge Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, the small public school handed out 274 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BRCC are $11,367 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,313 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BRCC 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, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. Located in Franklin, Virginia, the small public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Paul D Camp Community College are $10,733 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Paul D Camp Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia ranking. Southwest Virginia is located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 76 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Virginia are $10,736 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Virginia. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tidewater Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Tidewater Community College is located in Norfolk, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 113 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tidewater Community College are $11,564 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,405 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tidewater Community College. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
New River Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a public institution located in Dublin, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 113 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
NRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,699 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,148 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NRCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Roanoke, Virginia, and it awarded 46 undergraduate certificates 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,715 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Virginia Western Community College. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Radford University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list.
Radford undergraduate students pay an average of $24,453 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Radford. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Radford not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list.
Germanna Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. Germanna Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Locust Grove, Virginia that handed out 737 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Germanna Community College are $10,916 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,459 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Germanna Community College. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Old Dominion University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. Old Dominion University is a large public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 94 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Old Dominion are $31,170 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,539 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Old Dominion does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Old Dominion is ranked #5 for overall quality in Virginia.
Rappahannock Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. Located in Glenns, Virginia, the small public school handed out 245 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RCC are $10,823 per year.
RCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
ECPI University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia list. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 755 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
ECPI University undergraduate students pay an average of $18,484 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,860 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
ECPI University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list.
American National University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Salem, Virginia, and it awarded 66 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
American National University undergraduate students pay an average of $10,856 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,447 in student loans.
American National University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Centura College - Newport News came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Virginia ranking. Newport News, Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 138 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centura College - Newport News are $16,637 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,218 in student loans.
Centura College - Virginia Beach landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 80 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Centura College - Virginia Beach undergraduate students pay an average of $16,637 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,255 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Best Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
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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.
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