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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.
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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. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 4,022 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tidewater Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school handed out 3,462 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,635 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Tidewater Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,302 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% 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 large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. 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 attend Liberty University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 25,513 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $34,774 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $519 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Out of the 107 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, James Madison University landed the # 5 spot on the list. James Madison University is a large public school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 5,530 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,949 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $449 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from JMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,195 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% 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 public institution located in Roanoke, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,184 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,630 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Virginia Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,159 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients 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.
Degree recipients from Danville Community College accumulate an average of $10,127 in student debt by the time they complete 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 handed out 5,241 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,162 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $272.After graduating from Old Dominion, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,278 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Tidewater Tech-Trades ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. 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.
Degree recipients from Tidewater Tech-Trades accumulate an average of $12,015 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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. Mountain Empire Community College is a small public school located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia that handed out 975 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, MECC graduates make an average of $32,424 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
John Tyler Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 1,557 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,270 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Middletown, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,392 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College accumulate an average of $11,835 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lord Fairfax Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,686 during the early years of their career. 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. Central Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,133 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,642 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Virginia Community College graduates make an average of $30,954 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Southside Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #14 on the list. This small public school is located in Alberta, Virginia, and it awarded 952 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Southside Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,091 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Wytheville Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. WCC is located in Wytheville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 473 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from WCC accumulate an average of $10,992 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,872 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Advanced Technology Institute came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the very small private for-profit school handed out 369 degrees 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $149.After graduating from ATI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,070 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 10% were women.
Reynolds Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 1,558 degrees 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. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 1,061 degrees 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. Of those students who received their degree, 60% 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. Virginia Highlands Community College is a small public school located in Abingdon, Virginia that handed out 704 degrees 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 landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Southwest Virginia is located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 617 degrees to qualified students.
During the early years of their career, Southwest Virginia graduates make an average of $27,976 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Blue Ridge Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,266 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,973 in student loans.After graduating from BRCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,198 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
New River Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Dublin, Virginia, the small public school handed out 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. During the early years of their career, NRCC graduates make an average of $36,956 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. TNCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Hampton, Virginia. It awarded 1,186 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,759 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, TNCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,974 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Fortis College - Richmond ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Virginia list. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 139 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,656 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $59 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 62% 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.
Degree recipients from Germanna Community College accumulate an average of $10,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Germanna Community College graduates make an average of $33,592 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Most Popular Trade School 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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