10 Best Trade Schools inHampton, VA

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If you want a rewarding career that doesn’t require a four-year college degree, this page is for you.

Here we have selected information about the top schools available in the Hampton region.

The programs included in our list prepare students for careers in healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, or the beauty industry.

Through these courses, you may get ready for employment in less than one year, although we have also included programs that lead to an associate’s degree and can be completed in two years.



1Asher Institute of Hampton

About the School

Asher Institute of Hampton is offering training programs designed to prepare students for entry-level employment.

Tuition at the Asher Institute of Hampton is between $5.33-$13.70 per credit hour.

The school is approved for GI Bill education benefits.

The application fee is $100.

Applicants need:

  • A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • A copy of a legal form of identification
  • A completed application
  • Complete a Financial Planning Session
  • Sign a completed Enrollment
  • Instructor Training requirement extra documentation

Asher Institute of Hampton is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Careers Arts and Science to accord certificates and degrees.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Cosmetology
  • Barbering
  • Instructor Training

The Cosmetology program is 1,500-hour long and includes lectures, demonstrations, and student participation.

This program can be completed in 38 weeks and takes place in a real-life salon setting.

Tuition for this program is approximately $17,100.

The 1,100-hour Barber program can be completed in 32 weeks.

Tuition for this program is approximately $15,000.

The 600-hour Instructor Training program prepares students for entry-level positions as instructors.

Tuition for the instructor program is $6,400.

Contact Information


2Beyond Beauty Academy

About the School

Beyond Beauty Academy is offering training courses that prepare students for careers in the beauty industry.

To be considered for admission, you need to provide the following:

  • Birth certificate, passport, or another valid verification
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent diploma recognized in Virginia
  • Pay a non-refundable $100 application fee
  • Students who are under 18 need the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Beyond Beauty Academy is approved and certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology as well as the Code of Virginia.

Courses Offered

Beyond Beauty Academy is offering the following programs:

  • Cosmetology- a 1,500-hour program that covers classes in hairstyling, haircutting, hair coloring, manicuring, facials, salon business, bacteriology, and a variety of related topics.
  • Barber – students enrolled in this program learn a variety of useful barber-related skills, such as hairstyling, haircutting, hair coloring, manicuring, facials, salon business, bacteriology, and a variety of related topics.
  • Master Barber – this program is also 1,500 hours long
  • Nail Technician – a program that covers chemistry, EER, nail structure, skin, manicuring, pedicuring, as well as bacteriology, safety, and regulations-related topics.
  • Wax Technician – a 36-hour program designed to teach students all the practical aspects of waxing, sanitation, and professional attitudes.
  • Spa Technician
  • Master Educator- a 750-hour program that covers methods of teaching, student salon management, and well as instruction and theory, among other topics.

Contact Information


3Tidewater Medical Training

About the School

Tidewater Medical Training prepares students for careers in the healthcare industry.

Tuition costs vary between $460-$1,985, depending on the program.

A $75 refresher course for Registered Medical Aides is also available.

The school is certified to do in-house certification testing.

Both day and evening classes are available at the school’s Hampton and Virginia Beach campuses.

You need to provide the following information when applying for admission:

  • Education information
  • Dates of Military Service
  • A personal statement about why you want to enroll in a class

The first step in the application process consists of filling out the online form on the school’s website.

Tidewater Medical Training is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate in Virginia.

Courses Offered

Tidewater Medical Training is offering the following programs:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant – Initial Training
  • Certified Nursing Assistant – Preparation for Certification
  • Registered Medication Aide Course
  • Registered Medication Aide Refresher Course
  • BLS/CPR/AED Group Training
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • EKG Technician
  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Administrative Medical Assistant
  • Medical Billing and Coding

Contact Information


4Pat Cox PMCC

About the School

Pat Cox PMCC is offering a 16-week course that prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder examination.

The school also offers an introductory class to billing and coding for those who want to start a career in medical coding.

The instructor has over thirty years of experience in the field of healthcare, in coding and compliance-related issues and she holds multiple coding and billing certifications.

Class sizes are limited and meet every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can apply for one of the classes offered by the school by following these steps:

  • Download and complete a Student Registration form that can be found on the school’s website
  • Pay for class
  • Mail the student registration and payment to the school.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available:

  • Certified Professional Coder
  • Intro to Billing and Coding
  • Specialty Classes in E&M auditing and billing.

The Certified Professional Coder class costs $2,475.

This course includes:

  • Membership to AAPC
  • Examination
  • Textbooks
  • Coding notebook toolkit

It does not include books.

The eight-week Introduction to Billing and Coding course costs $950.

Contact Information


5Riverside College of Health Careers

About the School

Riverside College of Health Careers is offering allied health and nursing programs.

Tuition costs vary depending on the class and its duration.

The Practical Nursing program costs approximately $17,500 in total.

The Nurse Aide program, on the other hand, costs $700.

Allied Health programs cost between $22,575-$27,070.

Admission requirements vary depending on the program you choose.

For example, for the Nurse Aide program, you must a high school graduate with a minimum of 2.0 GPA or GED.

Applicants to the Practical Nursing program need:

  • A minimum of 2.0 GPA or GED
  • Preadmission testing is also required

Courses offered

Riverside College offers the following allied health programs:

  • Radiologic Technology
  • Cardiovascular Technology Program with Adult Echocardiography Specialty
  • Surgical Technology
  • Physical Therapist Assistant

The following nursing programs are also available:

  • RN-to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Professional Nursing
  • LPN to RN Advanced Placement Option
  • Practical Nurse
  • Nurse Aide

The Practical Nurse program can be completed in approximately 12 months, while the Nurse Aide program is 6-weeks long if enrolled in the day division.

Contact Information


6Virginia Technical Academy

About the School

Virginia Technical Academy is offering training programs that prepare students for careers in high-demand trades.

The programs offered by the Academy require less time than traditional programs.

Virginia Technical Academy is approved by the Department of Occupation Regulations, and the Department of Labor Industries for Career Track programs.

To be eligible for admission you need:

  • A high school diploma or GED
  • Those who don’t have a high school diploma or GED have to take a reading and a math test
  • A valid driver’s license
  • A social security card

Courses Offered

The following career-track programs in:

  • HVAC/R
  • Electrician
  • Plumbing
  • Major Appliance Technology
  • Building/Property Maintenance

The courses last between 16-20 weeks in total.

The Electrician and Plumber apprenticeship requires 144 hours of coursework and 2,000 hours of work/experience per year for four years.

The school also offers accelerated education courses in HVAC, appliance repair, plumbing, and electrical fields.

Virginia Technical Academy is offering the following certification programs:

  • EPA Section 608 Certification – a one-day, 6-hour course
  • R-410A Safety Certification – a 2-day, 6-hour course
  • ISCET – a program that trains, prepares, and tests technicians in the electronics and appliance service industry
  • NASTEC – a national certification program for technicians who specialize in servicing home appliances

Contact Information


7Bryant & Stratton College

About the School

Bryant & Stratton College provides programs that prepare students for high-demand professions.

The college offers 13 associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business, human resources, and nursing at its Hampton campus.

Students learn in a state-of-the-art campus that includes a fully functional medical lab.

If you want to apply for one of the programs offered by the College, the first step is to set up an appointment with your personal admissions representative

Afterward, you will have to participate in an interview.

The college offers several different financing options available to students who qualify.

Courses Offered

Bryant & Stratton College offers business programs such as:

  • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Business Assistant Diploma
  • Hospitality Assistant Diploma
  • Office Administration
  • Accounting AAS and BBA programs
  • And many more

The following healthcare programs are also available:

  • Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma
  • Medical Billing and Coding Diploma
  • Medical Office Assistant Diploma
  • AAS/ADN Nursing
  • BBA Medical Services Management
  • And many more

Programs in education, technology, hospitality, and human & legal services, are also available.

Contact Information


8Eye Deux Advance School of Beauty

About the School

Eye Deux Advance School of Beauty is offering cosmetic classes in Hampton.

The school is licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Application requirements include:

  • Being at least 18 years of age
  • A valid government-issued ID

No prior experience is required.

In Virginia, all tattoo artists need a valid First Aid/CPR and Bloodborne Pathogens certificate.

You need to have this proof of this certification before the first day of in-person instruction.

If you want to enroll in the Microblading class you must be a licensed professional in medical/permanent makeup or enrolled in a tattoo/permanent makeup course that lasts at least 900 hours.

Courses offered

The following courses are offered:

  • Basic Permanent Cosmetic Course – 200 Hours
  • Microblading/Shading Only – 16 hours
  • Lash Lift – 6 hours
  • Volume Eyelash Extensions – 8 hours

Tuition for this permanent cosmetic program is $9,000 and includes a student kit, uniform, mask, and more.

Students who complete this course receive a Certificate and are eligible to take the State Board Exam and obtain and Permanent Cosmetic License.

The Microblading program costs $3,000 and includes a student kit with manual blades, pigments, aesthetics, and more.

The Volume Eyelash Extensions costs $800 while the Lash Lift costs $500.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2100 Hartford Rd, Hampton VA 23666
  • Phone: (757) 742-3389
  • Website: https://edasb.com

9Thomas Nelson College

About the School

Thomas Nelson College is an accredited two-year institution of higher education that prepares students for careers as technical and paraprofessional workers.

The College was founded in 1967 and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.

Scholarship opportunities are available for students who qualify.

If you want to apply to Thomas Nelson College, the first step is to complete an application.

Afterward, you have to set up your MyTNCC account using a username and temporary password.

The admission process is completed after being contacted by the admissions team.

Tuition is $156 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $332.6 for out-of-state students.

Courses Offered

The college offers classes in the following areas:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business & Finance
  • Cybersecurity and Computers
  • Education and Social Science
  • Engineering and Science
  • Health and Wellness
  • Engineering Technology
  • Public Safety and Law
  • Drones, Transportation and Licensing

Students can prepare for careers in a variety of fields, from phlebotomy to web design.

Programs lead to career studies certificates or associate degrees.

Contact Information

  • Address: 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
  • Phone: (757) 825-2700
  • Website: https://www.tncc.edu

10Hampton University

About the School

Hampton University is offering degree and certification programs in a variety of fields.

The University is located near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.

Students who attend Hampton university can earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in healthcare-related fields, physics, mathematics, teaching, accounting, and many other fields.

Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The application fee is $50, while the matriculation fee is $100.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

Professional Pharmacy Students pay approximately $44,000 per school year for on-campus programs.

The above cost includes room and board charges.

For this reason, off-campus programs usually cost less.

For example, the off-campus Professional Lower Level Pharmacy program is approximately $37,600.

Courses Offered

Most programs offered by Hampton University lead to a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

Bachelor’s degree programs are usually four years long.

Some of the programs included in the University’s catalog lead to a certificate:

  • Food Service Manager Certification
  • Army ROTC, commissions as Second Lieutenants
  • Art- Technical Theatre
  • Art- Theatre Performance
  • Cinema Studies
  • Fine and Performing Arts
  • Pre-Law Track

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants1,710$56,130$26.99$75,150$36,670
Medical Records Specialists840$50,570$24.31$70,470$35,800
Nursing Assistants8,100$35,760$17.19$44,930$26,540
Dental Assistants1,700$45,720$21.98$56,410$36,090
Medical Assistants3,420$39,970$19.22$45,310$34,630
Phlebotomists420$39,530$19.01$45,270$32,580
Electricians4,880$58,930$28.33$77,730$37,500
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters3,460$57,020$27.41$72,650$38,870
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics3,930$50,550$24.3$76,480$31,030
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3,020$55,530$26.7$75,060$38,220
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Many schools offer post-secondary career-ready programs and, for this reason, choosing the right one can be difficult.

To help you in this process, we have selected a list of top schools that offer career-ready programs in your region.

Now that you have read our list is time to continue with your research and choose the program that best meets your needs, budget, and schedule.


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