Best Trade Schools in Virginia
26 schools ranked by programs, certifications, equipment, and accreditations. Real data, no affiliate padding.
#12
National Rank
26
Schools
24
Program Types
20
Certifications
3.9
Avg Programs/School
24
Observed Program Tags
Critical Skills: WeldingHVACPlumbingMachine
How We Rank Schools
Schools are ranked using a transparent composite score (0-100 points) based on verifiable data:
- Program breadth 0-20 pts
- Certification depth 0-15 pts
- Equipment/facilities 0-8 pts
- Accreditation quality 0-12 pts
- Data completeness 0-18 pts
- Outcomes (placement, salary) 0-10 pts
- Financial aid (VA, Pell, WIOA) 0-7 pts
- Partnership readiness 0-10 pts
No school pays for placement. Rankings are updated as new data is verified.
Top 15 Trade Schools in Virginia
1
Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & Instrumentation
VA ApprovedPell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: CompTIA A+, Six Sigma, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA
Security+, Phlebotomy
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesGovernance The College operates under policies established by the State Board for
Community Colleges and a Local College BoardAccess Board Meeting Minutes Local Boardis approved by the State Board
Contact: Clint Hayes —
clint.hayes@sw.edu
2
Rappahannock Community College
Glenns, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
VA Approved
Certifications: NATE, ICE Certification, OSHA 10, Master Plumber,
Phlebotomy, CDL
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges , the regional
body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the
Southern statesSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges , the regional
body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the
Southern statesSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges , the regional
body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the
Southern statesthe Southern Association of Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award
associate degrees
Contact: Shannon Kennedy —
skennedy@rappahannock.edu
3
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
VA ApprovedTitle IV
Certifications: AWS Welding, NATE, Phlebotomy, Medical Coding
Domicile Determination Form Tuition rates are established annually by the State
BoardVCCS Tuition Statement The State Boardthe State Boardthe State Board
Contact: Dean Sprinkle —
dsprinkle@wcc.vccs.edu
4
Advanced Technology Institute
Virginia Beach, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
VA Approved
Certifications: EPA 608, EPA 609, NATE, NATEF
the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) http://wwwaccreditation by the Accrediting Commissionand they are exempt from certification by the State Councilaccreditation by the Accrediting Commission
Contact: General Phone — —
5
Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Certifications: NATE, OSHA 10, CompTIA Network+, CCNA, CNA,
Phlebotomy
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesCAHIIM (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Health Information
Managementthe Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Carethe Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (3390 Peachtree Rd NE Suite
1400, Atlanta, GA 30326)
Contact: Kristen Westover —
kwestover@mecc.edu
6
Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
Certifications: EPA 608, NATE, Six Sigma, Phlebotomy, Medical Coding
Events Arts Array Food Trucks Student Discounts Events Calendar About Close main
navigation dropdown About the College Careers at VHCC Human Resources Citizens
Advisory Committee College BoardAlumni Profiles About the Foundation Alumni Association Give to VHCC Retiree
AssociationEvents Arts Array Food Trucks Student Discounts Events Calendar About Close main
navigation dropdown About the College Careers at VHCC Human Resources Citizens
Advisory Committee College BoardAlumni Profiles About the Foundation Alumni Association Give to VHCC Retiree
Association
Contact: Adam Hutchison —
ahutchison@vhcc.edu
7
Centura College-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & Instrumentation
VA ApprovedPell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: NATE, OSHA 10, CPR/BLS
approvals and memberships Accrediting CommissionDepartment of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program Military Tuition Assistance
National Healthcare AssociationState Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training Vocational
Rehabilitation Commissionincluding the evaluation of candidates and onboard
Contact: General Phone — —
8
Centura College-Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & Instrumentation
VA ApprovedPell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: NATE, OSHA 10, CPR/BLS
approvals and memberships Accrediting CommissionDepartment of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program Military Tuition Assistance
National Healthcare AssociationState Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training Vocational
Rehabilitation Commissionincluding the evaluation of candidates and onboard
Contact: General Phone — —
9
Technical & Career Education Center
Virginia Beach, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
Certifications: NATE, OSHA 10
presented to the School BoardSchool BoardSchool Boardpresented to the School Board
Contact: David Swanger —
David.Swanger@vbschools.com
10
Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA
Diesel TechnicianGas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)Nurse Aide TrainingPhlebotomyFiber TechnicianPower Line Worker
VA Approved
Certifications: NATE, CNA, Phlebotomy
Organizations Phi Theta Kappa Student Ambassador Bookstore Online Ordering Student
Resources CAPS Great Expectations TRIO Student Support Services Information
Technology HelpDesk Single Stop TimelyCare for Students Using Student Email Campus
Life Campus Events Campus Tours Food Services Student Activities Student Government
AssociationMessage Administration Organizational Charts Local College BoardOrganizations Phi Theta Kappa Student Ambassador Bookstore Online Ordering Student
Resources CAPS Great Expectations TRIO Student Support Services Information
Technology HelpDesk Single Stop TimelyCare for Students Using Student Email Campus
Life Campus Events Campus Tours Food Services Student Activities Student Government
AssociationMessage Administration Organizational Charts Local College Board
Contact: Quentin Johnson —
quentin.johnson@southside.edu
11
Laurel Ridge Community College
Middletown, VA
Power Line Worker Training ProgramWelding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbing
Pell Eligible
Certifications: NATE, Phlebotomy
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
to award associate degreesLaurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools CommissionQuestions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed
in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
Contact: Catherine Grunow — —
12
Centura College-Newport News
Newport News, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & Instrumentation
VA ApprovedPell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: NATE, OSHA 10
approvals and memberships Accrediting CommissionDepartment of Education to participate in Federal Title IV programs American
Medical Technologists Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program Military
Tuition Assistance National Healthcare Association State Approving Agency for
Veterans Education and Training Vocational Rehabilitation Peninsula Councilwhile Medical Assistant students may earn credentials through American Medical
Technologists or the National Healthcare Associationincluding the evaluation of candidates and onboard
Contact: General Phone — —
13
New River Community College
Dublin, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
VA ApprovedPell Eligible
Certifications: NATE, Six Sigma
the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to
award the associate degreeNew River Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the
Southern AssociationSTAFF ALUMNI VISITORS WORKFORCE MY ACCOUNTS APPLY REGISTER DONATE FOUNDATION MENU
foundation home Boardby The College Board
Contact: General Info — info@nr.edu
14
Tidewater Tech-Trades
Norfolk, VA
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & Carpentry
VA ApprovedPell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: ASE
the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) Terms of Use Get in
Touch " * " indicates required fields Phone This field is for validation
purposes and should be left unchangedthe Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) Terms of Use Get in
Touch " * " indicates required fields Phone This field is for validation
purposes and should be left unchangedthe Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) Terms of Use Get in
Touch " * " indicates required fields Instagram This field is for
validation purposes and should be left unchangedthe Commission of the Council on Occupational Education Associated Builders &
Contractors Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Virginia State
Department of Police Contact Us to LEarn More Schedule a CAMPUS TOUR The best way to
see if Tidewater Tech is right for you is to see it for yourself
Contact: General Phone — —
15
Mountain Gateway Community College
Clifton Forge, VA
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningElectronics & Instrumentation
VA ApprovedTitle IV
Certifications: Phlebotomy
Public Records Forest Management Technology with Specialization in Arboriculture
and Community Forestry Foundation BoardSchool Joe Wilson Workforce Center L Library Library Services List of Scholarships
Local BoardPublic Records Forest Management Technology with Specialization in Arboriculture
and Community Forestry Foundation BoardSchool Joe Wilson Workforce Center L Library Library Services List of Scholarships
Local Board
Contact: John Rainone — jrainone@mgcc.edu
All Other Schools
| # | School | City | Programs | Certs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
|
Melfa | 9 | 1 |
| 17 |
|
Annandale | 8 | 1 |
| 18 |
|
Chester | 13 | 1 |
| 19 |
 Virginia Western Community College
|
Roanoke | 10 | 1 |
| 20 |
|
Locust Grove | 14 | 2 |
| 21 |
|
Martinsville | 7 | 2 |
| 22 |
|
Norfolk | 6 | 1 |
| 23 |
|
Richmond | 7 | 1 |
| 24 |
|
Lynchburg | 1 | 0 |
| 25 |
|
Franklin | 1 | 0 |
| 26 |
|
Charlottesville | 1 | 0 |
Best CAD/CAM & Drafting Schools in Virginia
Best IT & Networking Schools in Virginia
Best Welding & Fabrication Schools in Virginia
Best Construction & Carpentry Schools in Virginia
Best Healthcare & Medical Schools in Virginia
Best Manufacturing Technology Schools in Virginia
Best CNC & Machining Schools in Virginia
Best Electrical Technology Schools in Virginia
Certifications Available
NATE18 schools
Phlebotomy9 schools
OSHA 107 schools
Six Sigma3 schools
CompTIA A+2 schools
CompTIA Network+2 schools
Medical Coding2 schools
EPA 6082 schools
CNA2 schools
CPR/BLS2 schools
CompTIA Security+1 schools
ICE Certification1 schools
Master Plumber1 schools
CDL1 schools
AWS Welding1 schools
EPA 6091 schools
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Virginia?
There are 26 trade schools in Virginia tracked by BOMAtlas, offering programs in 24
different fields.
What is the best trade school in Virginia?
Based on our composite ranking of programs, certifications, equipment, and
accreditations, Southwest Virginia Community College ranks #1 in Virginia.
What are the most popular trade programs in Virginia?
The most common programs are CAD/CAM & Drafting, IT & Networking, Welding &
Fabrication. These reflect strong employer demand in the state.
What certifications can I earn at Virginia trade schools?
Schools in Virginia offer 20 different certifications including CompTIA A+, Six Sigma,
CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Phlebotomy.
How are trade schools in Virginia ranked?
BOMAtlas ranks schools using a transparent composite score (0-100) based on program
breadth, certifications, equipment, accreditations, outcomes (placement rate, salary),
financial aid availability, and data quality.
How does Virginia compare to other states for trade education?
Virginia ranks #12 nationally with 26 schools and 9 unique program types.
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