Trade Schools in Virginia Beach, VA
9 schools · 56 programs · Avg earnings $33,083/yr
Virginia Beach’s economy benefits significantly from its large military presence and robust tourism industry, alongside growing sectors in healthcare and technology. This diverse landscape creates consistent demand for skilled tradespeople across various fields. Training in areas like nursing, medical assisting, and IT support directly addresses critical staffing needs within the city’s hospitals, clinics, and numerous technology-driven businesses.
Local trade schools offer programs tailored to these demands. For example, the strong local demand for healthcare professionals makes programs in Registered Nursing particularly relevant, while Computer Programming and Computer Engineering Technologies prepare students for careers in the city's expanding tech sector and support roles within military contracting.
Schools
9
Programs
56
Avg Grad Earnings
$33,083/yr
Avg Score
50/100
Virginia Beach Trade Schools Map
9 trade schools in Virginia Beach, VA.
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
ECPI University
Centura College-Virginia Beach
Advanced Technology Institute
South University-Virginia Beach
The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics
Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach
Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Cayce/Reilly School of Massage
All Trade Schools in Virginia Beach
9 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.
| School | Programs | Avg Earnings | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 15 | $32,342/yr | 51 |
| ECPI University | 12 | $39,464/yr | 52 |
| Centura College-Virginia Beach | 7 | $24,729/yr | 46 |
| Advanced Technology Institute | 4 | $39,883/yr | 56 |
| South University-Virginia Beach | 2 | $35,443/yr | 46 |
| The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics | 1 | $23,974/yr | 46 |
| Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach | 1 | $17,113/yr | 42 |
| Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School | 1 | $20,028/yr | 44 |
| Cayce/Reilly School of Massage | 1 | $19,899/yr | 38 |
Top Programs in Virginia Beach
Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Virginia Beach.
| Program | School | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | ECPI University | $71,146/yr | 70 |
| Nursing | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | $68,983/yr | 70 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | ECPI University | $64,003/yr | 55 |
| Allied Health Professions | ECPI University | $55,250/yr | 56 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | ECPI University | $51,369/yr | 55 |
| Practical Nursing | ECPI University | $51,209/yr | 67 |
| Practical Nursing | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | $45,098/yr | 64 |
| Welding & Metalworking | Advanced Technology Institute | $43,656/yr | 56 |
| IT Management | ECPI University | $43,314/yr | 62 |
| Computer Programming | ECPI University | $41,205/yr | 51 |
Apprenticeships in Virginia Beach
Programs by Category
Skilled Trades (8)
Healthcare (22)
Engineering & Technology (5)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (2)
Personal Services (5)
Business & Office (7)
Education (2)
Other Programs (5)
Skilled Trades (8 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Driving & CDL | Advanced Technology Institute | 69 | $40,332/yr |
| Construction Management Technology | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 59 | $31,641/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Advanced Technology Institute | 58 | $38,942/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Advanced Technology Institute | 56 | $43,656/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Advanced Technology Institute | 50 | $38,761/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Advanced Technology Institute | 47 | $37,724/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 43 | $20,928/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 41 | $29,395/yr |
Healthcare (22 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | ECPI University | 70 | $71,146/yr |
| Nursing | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 70 | $68,983/yr |
| Practical Nursing | ECPI University | 67 | $51,209/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 64 | $45,098/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | ECPI University | 56 | $55,250/yr |
| Medical Assisting | South University-Virginia Beach | 56 | $39,761/yr |
| Health Administration | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 55 | $28,135/yr |
| Health Administration | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 54 | $30,013/yr |
| Health Administration | ECPI University | 54 | $29,286/yr |
| Health Administration | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 54 | $26,072/yr |
| Medical Assisting | ECPI University | 50 | $32,640/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 50 | $32,115/yr |
| Medical Assisting | ECPI University | 50 | $29,480/yr |
| Public Health | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 49 | $33,828/yr |
| Health Administration | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 49 | $23,876/yr |
| Public Health | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 47 | $28,528/yr |
| Dental Assisting | ECPI University | 39 | $28,544/yr |
| Massage Therapy | ECPI University | 39 | $27,930/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 38 | $24,569/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Cayce/Reilly School of Massage | 38 | $19,899/yr |
| Massage Therapy | ECPI University | 33 | $23,638/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 32 | $14,301/yr |
Engineering & Technology (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Management | ECPI University | 62 | $43,314/yr |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | ECPI University | 55 | $64,003/yr |
| Computer Engineering Technology | ECPI University | 55 | $51,369/yr |
| IT Management | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 54 | $31,581/yr |
| Computer Programming | ECPI University | 51 | $41,205/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 56 | $32,211/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 55 | $28,070/yr |
Personal Services (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | ECPI University | 53 | $23,320/yr |
| Culinary Arts | ECPI University | 52 | $19,639/yr |
| Cosmetology | The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics | 46 | $23,974/yr |
| Cosmetology | Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School | 44 | $20,028/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach | 42 | $17,113/yr |
Business & Office (7 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 57 | $30,059/yr |
| Accounting | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 56 | $36,958/yr |
| Human Resources | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 55 | $39,428/yr |
| Business Administration | Centura College-Virginia Beach | 55 | $27,056/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 51 | $30,125/yr |
| Hospitality Management | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 51 | $28,789/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 47 | $22,570/yr |
Education (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 47 | $23,210/yr |
| Teacher Education | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 47 | $19,888/yr |
Other Programs (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 43 | $36,398/yr |
| Human Services | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 41 | $31,677/yr |
| Legal Support Services | South University-Virginia Beach | 36 | $31,126/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 36 | $30,998/yr |
| Human Services | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 36 | $22,878/yr |
Nearby Cities with Trade Schools
More Trade Schools in Virginia
View all trade schools in Virginia or browse all cities with trade schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Virginia Beach?
There are 9 accredited trade and vocational schools in Virginia Beach, VA, offering a total of 56 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Virginia Beach?
The highest-earning programs in Virginia Beach include Nursing, Nursing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, with graduates earning $71,146 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Virginia Beach worth it?
Trade school programs in Virginia Beach average $33,083 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers offer strong job security due to hands-on work requirements.
About This Data
This page analyzes 56 trade and vocational programs at 9 schools in Virginia Beach, VA using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).
School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034.
Last updated 2026.