2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Virginia ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
After analyzing 26 schools in Virginia, we came up with our list of those that offered the best associate degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with an associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Virginia have accumulated an average of $12,518 in student debt.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your associate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
1,812
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,999
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,010
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found ECPI University to be the best school for associate degrees in Virginia in this year’s ranking. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 1,812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,999 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,010 after getting their degree.
Read full report on ECPI University
5,692
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,032
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,140
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #2 in Virginia on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 5,692 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College is $38,032 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,140 after getting their degree.
Full Northern Virginia Community College Report
35
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,083
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,528
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at Virginia Tech helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Virginia. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the large public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Virginia Tech go into careers with an average salary of $36,083 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $30,528 in student loans.
Learn More About Virginia Tech
456
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,080
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southside Virginia Community College. The school came in at #4 in Virginia on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Southside Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Alberta, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 456 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Southside Virginia Community College make an average of $32,080 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Southside Virginia Community College
1,156
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,047
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 26 associate degree schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Liberty University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 1,156 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Liberty University go into careers with an average salary of $35,047 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Liberty University
313
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,756
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,647
Average Student Debt
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking, coming in at #6. Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 313 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach go into careers with an average salary of $35,756 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,647 in student loans.
Full Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach Report
364
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,744
Average Early-Career Earnings
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Patrick Henry Community College is a small public school located in Martinsville, Virginia that handed out 364 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Patrick Henry is $43,744 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Patrick Henry Community College
286
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,776
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #8, Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from VHCC make an average of $42,776 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Virginia Highlands Community College
322
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,529
Average Early-Career Earnings
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, the small public school handed out 322 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,529 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Southwest Virginia Community College
286
Associate Degrees Awarded
$58,106
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #10, Mountain Empire Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 286 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from MECC go into careers with an average salary of $58,106 during the early years of their career.
Full Mountain Empire Community College Report
280
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,305
Average Early-Career Earnings
Rappahannock Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 280 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from RCC make an average of $42,305 a year.
Learn More About Rappahannock Community College
2,216
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,146
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,047
Average Student Debt
Tidewater Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Tidewater Community College is a fairly large public school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 2,216 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Tidewater Community College go into careers with an average salary of $35,146 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,047 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Tidewater Community College
790
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,611
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,925
Average Student Debt
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Middletown, Virginia that handed out 790 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Lord Fairfax Community College go into careers with an average salary of $40,611 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,925.
Full Lord Fairfax Community College Report
982
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,151
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,194
Average Student Debt
John Tyler Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Chester, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 982 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from John Tyler Community College is $38,151 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,194.
Learn More About John Tyler Community College
1,128
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,739
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,887
Average Student Debt
Germanna Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Locust Grove, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,128 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Germanna Community College is $37,739 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,887.
Learn More About Germanna Community College
140
Associate Degrees Awarded
$20,219
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,979
Average Student Debt
Richard Bland College of William and Mary ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. RBC is a small public school situated in South Prince George, Virginia. It awarded 140 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from RBC make an average of $20,219 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,979.
Learn More About Richard Bland College of William and Mary
441
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,360
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,063
Average Student Debt
Blue Ridge Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school located in Weyers Cave, Virginia that handed out 441 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from BRCC is $38,360 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,063 in student loans.
Learn More About Blue Ridge Community College
1,104
Associate Degrees Awarded
$46,750
Average Early-Career Earnings
Reynolds Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking, coming in at #18. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,104 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Reynolds Community College make an average of $46,750 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Reynolds Community College
654
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,615
Average Early-Career Earnings
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking, coming in at #19. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 654 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Virginia Western Community College make an average of $44,615 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Virginia Western Community College
485
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,260
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,593
Average Student Debt
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 485 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from PVCC make an average of $41,260 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,593 in student loans.
Read full report on Piedmont Virginia Community College
809
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,512
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,318
Average Student Debt
Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking, coming in at #21. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 809 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from TNCC make an average of $36,512 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $8,318 in student loans.
Read full report on Thomas Nelson Community College
210
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,302
Average Early-Career Earnings
Danville Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Danville Community College is a public institution located in Danville, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Danville Community College is $44,302 during the early years of their career.
Full Danville Community College Report
405
Associate Degrees Awarded
$29,282
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #23, Central Virginia Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school awarded 405 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Central Virginia Community College make an average of $29,282 a year.
Read full report on Central Virginia Community College
144
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,534
Average Early-Career Earnings
Paul D Camp Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Franklin, Virginia, the small public school awarded 144 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Paul D Camp Community College go into careers with an average salary of $41,534 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Paul D Camp Community College
494
Associate Degrees Awarded
$46,262
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #25, New River Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. NRCC is a small public school situated in Dublin, Virginia. It awarded 494 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from NRCC make an average of $46,262 a year.
Learn More About New River Community College
