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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. 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 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 50 schools in Virginia to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found ECPI University to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Virginia. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 1,812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ECPI University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $18,484. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,059 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ECPI University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Tidewater Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 2,216 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they attend Tidewater Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,564. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,855 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Tidewater Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 50 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Virginia Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Annandale, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 5,692 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Northern Virginia Community College full time pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,648. On average, associate degree students take out $15,263 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means John Tyler Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Chester, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 982 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at John Tyler Community College is $4,800. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,803. On average, associate degree students take out $12,270 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
One thing to take note of is that John Tyler Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Virginia Western Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Virginia. Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 654 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees if they attend Virginia Western Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,106. On average, associate degree students take out $15,129 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Virginia Western Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Reynolds Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 1,104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Virginia who attend Reynolds Community College full time pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,001. On average, associate degree students take out $15,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Reynolds Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 809 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TNCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,809. Associate Degree recipients from TNCC accumulate an average of $14,524 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at TNCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Abingdon, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 286 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at VHCC is $4,725. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
VHCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,156 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,203 to cover tuition and fees at Liberty University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $25,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Liberty University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
New River Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Dublin, Virginia, the small public school handed out 494 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,697 in tuition and fees if they attend NRCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,699. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,123 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NRCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 405 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,853 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Virginia Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,856. Associate Degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $8,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Virginia Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MECC is $4,725. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
One thing to take note of is that MECC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Advanced Technology Institute came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Advanced Technology Institute is a very small private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 63 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ATI does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,920. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,753 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.
Blue Ridge Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. BRCC is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 441 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Virginia who attend BRCC full time pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,367. On average, associate degree students take out $13,633 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BRCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 313 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $17,211 to cover tuition and fees at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,863 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach 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 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
Riverside College of Health Careers ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia list. Riverside College of Health Careers is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 115 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Riverside College of Health Careers, expect to pay an average of $12,380 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,350 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Riverside College of Health Careers does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Southwest Virginia is located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 322 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,733 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Virginia full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,736. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwest Virginia. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Radford University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 68 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Radford is $11,916. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $24,453. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,557 in student loans. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Radford does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Wytheville Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Wytheville Community College is a small public school located in Wytheville, Virginia that handed out 272 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WCC is $4,725. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,399 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Patrick Henry Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Martinsville, Virginia, the small public school awarded 364 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,720 in tuition and fees if they attend Patrick Henry full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,723. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Patrick Henry. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
American National University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 64 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,215 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
American National University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Middletown, Virginia, and it awarded 790 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lord Fairfax Community College is $4,739. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,742. Associate Degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College accumulate an average of $12,394 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
Danville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Danville Community College is a public institution located in Danville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Danville Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. Associate Degree recipients from Danville Community College accumulate an average of $11,262 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, South University, Richmond did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Glen Allen, Virginia, and it awarded 21 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
South University, Richmond does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,560. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from South University, Richmond accumulate an average of $24,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that South University, Richmond does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree 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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