Trade Schools in West Virginia

Trade schools are notable for blending classroom instructions with hands-on training sessions. This aims to ensure that graduates are immediately ready to enter the workforce once they graduate.

In West Virginia, candidates have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to trade programs. Naturally, some schools are more pertinent for certain programs than others. Some are also better than others, including credit transfer and job placement assistance.

To make sure that interested candidates in the state choose only the best alternatives for them, we have provided an in-depth list below containing the top trade schools in West Virginia. Firstly, however, below is an estimation of the cost of attending a trade school in the state.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in West Virginia

The following are a few notable examples of the cost to expect when attending specific trade schools in West Virginia:

Public Trade Schools

• Completing an associate degree in nursing at Eastern West Virginia Community College costs $9,136 per year.

• Completing a certificate in automotive technology at Eastern West Virginia Community College costs $5,184 per year.

• Completing an associate degree in mechatronics at West Virginia Northern Community College costs $8,352 annually.

• Completing a certificate in medical assisting at West Virginia Northern Community College costs $6,240 per year.

Private Trade Schools

• Completing an associate degree in medical billing and coding at West Virginia Career College costs $22,400 annually.

• Completing a certificate in pharmacy technology at West Virginia Career College costs $15,840 per year.

• Completing an associate degree in radiologic technology at BridgeValley CTC costs $24,000 annually.

• Completing a diploma in cosmetology at BridgeValley CTC costs $14,400.

Private trade schools are usually more expensive than public ones. While the annual average cost of attending a public trade school in West Virginia is between $5,000 and $12,000 per year, the annual average cost of attending a private trade school in the state is between $10,000 and $25,000 per year.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in West Virginia

Financial aid programs help students ease the financial burden of completing an educational program. There are numerous options for trade school students in West Virginia. We examine some of the best and most relevant options below.

• WV Invests Grant - the WV Invests Grant offers financial assistance for West Virginia students enrolled in either a certificate or associate degree program in a high-demand field. Candidates may receive funding for tuition and fees.

• Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program - applicants for this grant must be residents of West Virginia enrolled in a community college in the state. It is a need-based scholarship requiring a high school diploma or GED.

• West Virginia Higher Education Grant - offers up to $2,500 for high school graduates in financial need and looking to attend a post-secondary school in the state.

• No Essay College Scholarship - as the name implies, the No Essay College Scholarship doesn’t require an essay. It offers financial assistance to students 18 or older enrolled in an approved trade school.

Licensing and Accreditation for Trade Schools in West Virginia

Licensing trade schools in West Virginia typically falls upon the Higher Learning Commission. Most public trade schools in the state often receive accreditation from the commission to satisfy regional requirements.

However, private trade schools and other post-secondary institutions may turn to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges for accreditation. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission accredits online schools.

Usually, national accreditation is enough for specialized programs that require credit transfer. Students are advised to enroll in an accredited school – either nationally or regionally – because it gives more gravitas to their degrees and may help them access several financial aid initiatives.

Besides being accredited, candidates must also ensure that the state licenses their trade school of choice in West Virginia.

Top Vocational Trade Schools in West Virginia

Aspiring trade professionals seeking training from a prominent trade school in West Virginia may consider any of the following options.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include Martinsburg College offering online programs, Carver Career and Technical Education Center in Charleston, Huntington Junior College in Huntington, Valley College in Beckley, Mountain State College in Parkersburg, Laurel College of Technology in Morgantown, and West Virginia Junior College in Morgantown, Charleston, and Bridgeport.