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Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia

55 Schools Ranked
$5,885 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 55 schools in Virginia to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, Virginia
1,133 Total Awards
$5,561 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Tidewater Community College the most popular school in Virginia for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Tidewater Community College is located in Norfolk, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,133 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $5,561 in tuition and fees if they attend Tidewater Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,564. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you 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.

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484 Total Awards
$5,103 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Virginia Western Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 484 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Virginia Western Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,106. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

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.

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#3

Tidewater Tech-Trades

Norfolk, Virginia
283 Total Awards
$16,337 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Tidewater Tech-Trades is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Tidewater Tech-Trades is a very small private for-profit school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 283 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Tidewater Tech-Trades is $16,337. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.

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#4

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, Virginia
892 Total Awards
$5,565 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 892 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Virginia who attend Northern Virginia Community College full time pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,648. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Northern 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 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#5

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia
499 Total Awards
$4,725 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Mountain Empire Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Mountain Empire Community College is a small public school located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia that handed out 499 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MECC is $4,725. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,728. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MECC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Mountain Empire Community College Report

#6

Danville Community College

Danville, Virginia
325 Total Awards
$4,725 Average Tuition & Fees

Danville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Danville Community College is located in Danville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 325 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend Danville Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Danville Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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301 Total Awards
$4,695 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Southside Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Alberta, Virginia that handed out 301 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,695 in tuition and fees if they attend Southside Virginia Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,698. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Southside Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Report

#8

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, Virginia
212 Total Awards
$4,790 Average Tuition & Fees

Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 212 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at PVCC is $4,790. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,793. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that PVCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Piedmont Virginia Community College Report

#9

Lord Fairfax Community College

Middletown, Virginia
281 Total Awards
$4,739 Average Tuition & Fees

Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. Middletown, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 281 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Virginia who attend Lord Fairfax Community College full time pay an average of $4,739 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,742. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Lord Fairfax Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#10

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, Virginia
123 Total Awards
$4,725 Average Tuition & Fees

Wytheville Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. WCC is a public institution located in Wytheville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 123 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they attend WCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that WCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Wytheville Community College

#11

Central Virginia Community College

Lynchburg, Virginia
366 Total Awards
$4,853 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Virginia Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Central Virginia Community College is a small public school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 366 basic certificates 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,856. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#12

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics

Virginia Beach, Virginia
157 Total Awards

The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. The Chrysm Institute is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 157 basic certificates to qualified students.

Around 99% of those degree recipients were women.

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#13

John Tyler Community College

Chester, Virginia
283 Total Awards
$4,800 Average Tuition & Fees

John Tyler Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 283 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend John Tyler Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,803. Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at John Tyler Community College. In fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on John Tyler Community College

119 Total Awards

Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Falls Church, Virginia, the very small private for-profit school handed out 119 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

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#15

The Esthetic Institute

Vienna, Virginia
120 Total Awards

With a ranking of #15, The Esthetic Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. The Esthetic Institute is located in Vienna, Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 120 basic certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Read full report on The Esthetic Institute

#16

Blue Ridge Community College

Weyers Cave, Virginia
551 Total Awards
$5,364 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Blue Ridge Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school located in Weyers Cave, Virginia that handed out 551 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,364 in tuition and fees if they attend BRCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,367. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

BRCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#17

Germanna Community College

Locust Grove, Virginia
346 Total Awards
$4,913 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Germanna Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Locust Grove, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 346 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Germanna Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,916. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Germanna Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Germanna Community College

#18

Rappahannock Community College

Glenns, Virginia
398 Total Awards
$4,820 Average Tuition & Fees

Rappahannock Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 398 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at RCC is $4,820. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,823. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that RCC does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Read full report on Rappahannock Community College

#19

Southwest Virginia Community College

Cedar Bluff, Virginia
219 Total Awards
$4,733 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Southwest Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia that handed out 219 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwest Virginia is $4,733. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,736. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwest Virginia. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Southwest Virginia Community College Report

#20

Reynolds Community College

Richmond, Virginia
374 Total Awards
$4,998 Average Tuition & Fees

Reynolds Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 374 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Virginia who attend Reynolds Community College full time pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,001. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Reynolds Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Reynolds Community College

#21

Advanced Technology Institute

Virginia Beach, Virginia
161 Total Awards
$13,920 Average Tuition & Fees

Advanced Technology Institute came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Advanced Technology Institute is a very small private for-profit school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 161 basic certificates 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. Of those students who received their degree, 14% were women.

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187 Total Awards
$4,725 Average Tuition & Fees

Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Abingdon, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 187 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at VHCC 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, 29% 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.

Read full report on Virginia Highlands Community College

#23

New River Community College

Dublin, Virginia
335 Total Awards
$4,697 Average Tuition & Fees

New River Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a small public school situated in Dublin, Virginia. It awarded 335 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Virginia who attend NRCC full time pay an average of $4,697 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,699. Of those students who received their degree, 22% were women.

NRCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on New River Community College

81 Total Awards

With a ranking of #24, American Massage & Bodywork Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. American Massage & Bodywork Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Vienna, Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 81 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on American Massage & Bodywork Institute

#25

Thomas Nelson Community College

Hampton, Virginia
205 Total Awards
$4,806 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. TNCC is a public institution located in Hampton, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 205 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend TNCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,809. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

One thing to take note of is that TNCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Thomas Nelson Community College

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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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