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Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia

2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia

60 Schools Ranked
$41,791 Average Earnings
$30,482 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

The Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 60 schools in West Virginia to see which ones were the most popular programs 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

Martinsburg College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
888 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Martinsburg College the most popular school in West Virginia for trade school students working on their degree. Martinsburg College is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 888 degrees to qualified students.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Martinsburg College Report

#2

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, West Virginia
706 Total Awards
$47,123 Average Earnings
$13,552 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Pierpont Community and Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Pierpont Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Fairmont, West Virginia. It awarded 706 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Pierpont Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $13,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Pierpont Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $47,123 annually. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

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#3

Valley College-Martinsburg

Martinsburg, West Virginia
368 Total Awards
$23,472 Average Earnings
$13,870 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valley College-Martinsburg. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Martinsburg, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 368 students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $13,870 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $63.After graduating from Valley College of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $23,472 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Read full report on Valley College-Martinsburg

#4

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia
307 Total Awards
$32,451 Average Earnings
$10,796 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 307 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,796 in student loans.After graduating from WVJC Morgantown, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,451 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Read full report on West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

#5

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
638 Total Awards
$34,100 Average Earnings
$16,189 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is a great place for trade school students. This small public school is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and it awarded 638 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $16,189 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,100 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Report

476 Total Awards
$44,163 Average Earnings

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Located in Mount Gay, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 476 degrees in 2021-2022.

After graduating from Southern, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,163 during the early years of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Report

327 Total Awards
$29,145 Average Earnings
$7,214 Avg Student Debt

New River Community and Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. New River Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Beaver, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 327 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $7,214 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, New River Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $29,145 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

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#8

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling, West Virginia
282 Total Awards
$29,478 Average Earnings
$9,507 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Northern Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. This small public school is located in Wheeling, West Virginia, and it awarded 282 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,507 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WVNCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,478 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on West Virginia Northern Community College

#9

Academy of Careers and Technology

Beckley, West Virginia
91 Total Awards
$23,025 Average Earnings

Academy of Careers and Technology came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia ranking. Located in Beckley, West Virginia, the very small public school handed out 91 degrees in 2021-2022.

During the early years of their career, Academy of Careers and Technology graduates make an average of $23,025 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Academy of Careers and Technology

#9

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, West Virginia
360 Total Awards
$45,780 Average Earnings
$10,721 Avg Student Debt

BridgeValley Community & Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia ranking. BridgeValley Community & Technical College is a small public school located in South Charleston, West Virginia that handed out 360 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $10,721 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BridgeValley Community & Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,780 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Full BridgeValley Community & Technical College Report

#11

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Huntington, West Virginia
292 Total Awards
$32,727 Average Earnings
$9,113 Avg Student Debt

Mountwest Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. MCTC is a small public school situated in Huntington, West Virginia. It awarded 292 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from MCTC accumulate an average of $9,113 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MCTC graduates make an average of $32,727 annually. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Mountwest Community and Technical College

#12

Fred W Eberle Technical Center

Buckhannon, West Virginia
116 Total Awards
$33,712 Average Earnings

Fred W Eberle Technical Center ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Fred W Eberle Technical Center is located in Buckhannon, West Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 116 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from Fred W Eberle Technical Center, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,712 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Fred W Eberle Technical Center Report

#13

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
14,167 Total Awards
$51,395 Average Earnings
$29,480 Avg Student Debt

American Public University System ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 14,167 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from American Military University accumulate an average of $29,480 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, American Military University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,395 during the early year of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

Full American Public University System Report

#14

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia
863 Total Awards
$37,492 Average Earnings
$23,385 Avg Student Debt

Fairmont State University 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. Located in Fairmont, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 863 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Fairmont State accumulate an average of $23,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $235, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fairmont State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,492 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Read full report on Fairmont State University

#15

James Rumsey Technical Institute

Martinsburg, West Virginia
133 Total Awards
$46,742 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #15, James Rumsey Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the very small public school awarded 133 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Once they receive their degree, James Rumsey Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,742 during the early year of their career. Around 24% of those degree recipients were women.

Full James Rumsey Technical Institute Report

#16

Morgantown Beauty College Inc

Morgantown, West Virginia
72 Total Awards

Morgantown Beauty College Inc 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. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 72 students in 2021-2022.

Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#17

Bluefield State College

Bluefield, West Virginia
250 Total Awards
$35,587 Average Earnings
$23,034 Avg Student Debt

Bluefield State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Bluefield, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 250 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Bluefield State College accumulate an average of $23,034 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bluefield State College graduates make an average of $35,587 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Read full report on Bluefield State College

#18

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia
687 Total Awards
$36,389 Average Earnings
$15,731 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia University at Parkersburg ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia list. Parkersburg, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 687 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,731 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,389 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

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#19

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
2,637 Total Awards
$46,274 Average Earnings
$44,229 Avg Student Debt

Marshall University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,637 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $44,229 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $185, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Marshall University graduates make an average of $46,274 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Read full report on Marshall University

#20

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

Cross Lanes, West Virginia
88 Total Awards
$25,750 Average Earnings
$9,103 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, West Virginia Junior College - Charleston did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. West Virginia Junior College - Charleston is a very small private for-profit school located in Cross Lanes, West Virginia that handed out 88 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,103 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WVJC Charleston graduates make an average of $25,750 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

Read full report on West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

#20

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
6,534 Total Awards
$46,248 Average Earnings
$43,427 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, West Virginia University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, the large public school awarded 6,534 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from WVU accumulate an average of $43,427 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $498 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WVU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,248 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.

Full West Virginia University Report

#22

Ross Medical Education Center - Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
46 Total Awards
$23,377 Average Earnings
$8,118 Avg Student Debt

Ross Medical Education Center - Charleston did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Ross - Charleston is a private for-profit institution located in Charleston, West Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 46 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Ross - Charleston accumulate an average of $8,118 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ross - Charleston graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $23,377 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.

Full Ross Medical Education Center - Charleston Report

#23

International Beauty School 4

Martinsburg, West Virginia
80 Total Awards
$14,752 Average Earnings
$9,152 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, International Beauty School 4 did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the very small private for-profit school awarded 80 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,152 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, International Beauty School 4 graduates make an average of $14,752 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

Read More…

#24

West Liberty University

West Liberty, West Virginia
604 Total Awards
$45,672 Average Earnings
$29,290 Avg Student Debt

West Liberty University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in West Virginia ranking. West Liberty University is located in West Liberty, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 604 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from West Liberty University accumulate an average of $29,290 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $240. During the early years of their career, West Liberty University graduates make an average of $45,672 annually. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on West Liberty University

#25

Carver Career Center

Charleston, West Virginia
97 Total Awards
$17,629 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #25, Carver Career Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Carver Career Center is located in Charleston, West Virginia and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 97 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Carver Career Center graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $17,629 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Read More…

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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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