2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 65 schools in Virginia to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Northern Virginia Community College the most popular school in Virginia for students working on their associate degree. Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,023 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $5,565 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northern Virginia Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,648. On average, associate degree students take out $17,116 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tidewater Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 2,414 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tidewater Community College is $5,561. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,564. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,057 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Tidewater Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 65 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, ECPI University landed the # 3 spot on the list. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 2,049 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
ECPI University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $17,479. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $24,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that ECPI University does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Liberty University is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,146 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Liberty University, expect to pay an average of $16,160 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $28,805 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Liberty University. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Reynolds Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 1,121 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $3,998 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Reynolds Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,800. On average, associate degree students take out $19,545 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Reynolds Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Germanna Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Locust Grove, Virginia, and it awarded 1,005 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Germanna Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,916. On average, associate degree students take out $17,120 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Germanna Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
John Tyler Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. John Tyler Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chester, Virginia. It awarded 988 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend John Tyler Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,803. Associate Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $17,926 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at John Tyler Community College. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Middletown, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 887 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lord Fairfax Community College is $4,739. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,742. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,743 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lord Fairfax Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. TNCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Hampton, Virginia. It awarded 801 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Virginia who attend TNCC full time pay an average of $4,806 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,809. On average, associate degree students take out $16,613 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
One thing to take note of is that TNCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #10, Virginia Western Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Roanoke, Virginia, and it awarded 669 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Virginia who attend Virginia Western Community College full time pay an average of $5,355 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,358. On average, associate degree students take out $17,663 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Virginia Western Community College. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
New River Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Dublin, Virginia, the small public school awarded 510 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,697 in tuition and fees if they attend NRCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,699. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,949 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Online courses are available at NRCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. This small public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 454 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,790 in tuition and fees if they attend PVCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,793. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,693 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
PVCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Blue Ridge Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school located in Weyers Cave, Virginia that handed out 489 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BRCC is $5,364. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,367. On average, associate degree students take out $16,218 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BRCC. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school awarded 435 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,838 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Virginia Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,841. On average, associate degree students take out $13,176 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Central Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Southside Virginia Community College is a small public school situated in Alberta, Virginia. It awarded 433 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southside Virginia Community College is $4,695. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,698. On average, associate degree students take out $9,671 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Southside Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Patrick Henry Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Patrick Henry is located in Martinsville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 368 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Patrick Henry is $4,720. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,723. On average, associate degree students take out $11,469 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Patrick Henry. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the small private for-profit school handed out 368 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach, expect to pay an average of $17,308 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,884 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
With a ranking of #18, Southwest Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Richlands, Virginia, the small public school awarded 348 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,703 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwest Virginia full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,706. Associate Degree recipients from Southwest Virginia accumulate an average of $9,768 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Virginia. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Mountain Empire Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 322 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Virginia who attend MECC full time pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,713. Associate Degree recipients from MECC accumulate an average of $10,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at MECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the small public school handed out 321 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees if they attend VHCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,713. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,003 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at VHCC. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Wytheville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. WCC is a public institution located in Wytheville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 310 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. Associate Degree recipients from WCC accumulate an average of $11,925 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Rappahannock Community College is a small public school located in Glenns, Virginia that handed out 268 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Virginia who attend RCC full time pay an average of $4,820 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,823. Associate Degree recipients from RCC accumulate an average of $11,807 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that RCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Danville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Danville Community College is a public institution located in Danville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 207 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Virginia pay an average of $4,725 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Danville Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,728. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,241 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Danville Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, Richard Bland College of William and Mary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. RBC is located in South Prince George, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 191 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $8,160 in tuition and fees if they attend RBC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,130. Associate Degree recipients from RBC accumulate an average of $12,382 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at RBC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Strayer University - Virginia ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Strayer University - Virginia is located in Arlington, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,515 to cover tuition and fees at Strayer University - Virginia. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,752 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Since Strayer University - Virginia is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
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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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