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2023 Most Popular 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 Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 107 schools in Virginia to see which 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.
Most Popular Trade 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 in Virginia. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 4,022 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,661 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $151, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECPI University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,263 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Tidewater Community College is a great place for trade school students. 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.
Degree recipients from Tidewater Community College accumulate an average of $13,635 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Tidewater Community College graduates make an average of $33,302 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 107 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Virginia Community College landed the # 3 spot 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.
On average, students take out $14,283 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northern Virginia Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,967 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Liberty University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 25,513 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,774 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $519. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means James Madison University is a great place for trade school students. James Madison University is a large public school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 5,530 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from JMU accumulate an average of $22,949 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $449, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, JMU graduates make an average of $46,195 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 1,184 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,630 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Virginia Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,159 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Danville Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 779 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,127 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Danville Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,785 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Old Dominion University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the large public school awarded 5,241 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $29,162 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $272. Once they receive their degree, Old Dominion graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,278 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Tidewater Tech-Trades came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Tidewater Tech-Trades is located in Norfolk, Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 483 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,015 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,006 during the early year of their career. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. MECC is a small public school situated in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It awarded 975 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, MECC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,424 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
John Tyler Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular 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 1,557 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $12,270 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, John Tyler Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,207 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Middletown, Virginia that handed out 1,392 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,835 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Lord Fairfax Community College graduates make an average of $30,686 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,133 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,642 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Central Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,954 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
With a ranking of #14, Southside Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Alberta, Virginia, the small public school handed out 952 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Southside Virginia Community College graduates make an average of $29,091 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Wytheville Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 473 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WCC accumulate an average of $10,992 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,872 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Advanced Technology Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the very small private for-profit school awarded 369 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,220 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ATI graduates make an average of $33,070 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 10% were women.
Reynolds Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,558 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Reynolds Community College accumulate an average of $15,565 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Reynolds Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,589 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the 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.
Degree recipients from PVCC accumulate an average of $11,463 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, PVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,528 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the small public school awarded 704 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
After graduating from VHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,072 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, the small public school awarded 617 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Southwest Virginia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,976 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Blue Ridge Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. BRCC is a small public school situated in Weyers Cave, Virginia. It awarded 1,266 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from BRCC accumulate an average of $12,973 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, BRCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,198 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
New River Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a public institution located in Dublin, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 942 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NRCC accumulate an average of $11,273 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NRCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,956 during the early year of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,186 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from TNCC accumulate an average of $15,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TNCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,974 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Fortis College - Richmond came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the very small private for-profit school handed out 139 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,656 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fortis College - Richmond graduates make an average of $30,412 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Germanna Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Germanna Community College is located in Locust Grove, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,211 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,889 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Germanna Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,592 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
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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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