Best Trade Schools in West Virginia (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia’s trade schools prepare students for skilled careers in less than two years. With programs in healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and construction, these schools help residents get the training and certifications they need to get job‑ready quickly; hiring outcomes vary by location and job market.

Whether you live in Charleston, Morgantown, or a rural community, you can access affordable, hands-on education that prepares you for in-demand jobs; employment is not guaranteed.

Best Trade Schools In West Virginia

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools, ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Fred W Eberle Technical Center

Buckhannon, WV In-state option BOC Score 83.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 98.3%
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 98
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $37,621 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Putnam Career and Technical Center

Eleanor, WV In-state option BOC Score 82.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 84.2%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 53
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,118 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Fayette Institute of Technology

Oak Hill, WV In-state option BOC Score 80.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 91.7%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 31
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,919 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

James Rumsey Technical Institute

Martinsburg, WV In-state option BOC Score 74.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 76.7%
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 146
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,906 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

United Technical Center

Clarksburg, WV In-state option BOC Score 72.5
Tuition $4,700
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 100.0%
  • Programs offered: 1
  • Annual completions: 30
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,557 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Ben Franklin Career Center

Dunbar, WV In-state option BOC Score 71.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 86.4%
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 93
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,243 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Monongalia County Technical Education Center

Morgantown, WV In-state option BOC Score 71.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 58.3%
  • Graduation rate: 68.0%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 44
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,812 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, WV In-state option BOC Score 71.1
Tuition $4,752 in-state / $8,808 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.3%
  • Programs offered: 41
  • Annual completions: 284
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,612 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in West Virginia?

BridgeValley Community & Technical College and Mountwest Community & Technical College are highly regarded for diverse training options.

Can I attend trade school for free in West Virginia?

Yes. The WV Invests Grant covers tuition for eligible residents in select programs.

What trades are in high demand in West Virginia?

Healthcare, CDL driving, welding, HVAC, and electrical work are among the fastest-growing fields.

Do West Virginia trade schools accept financial aid?

If you want a fast, affordable way to start a skilled career in West Virginia, these schools offer the training and support you need.

Trade Schools by City in West Virginia

Compare accredited trade schools in 17 West Virginia cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)