Does this school offer financial aid like Pell Grants?

Yes, 59.5% of students reported receiving Pell Grants.

What programs and credential levels are available?

The school offers undergraduate certificates in Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection; Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology; Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies; and Precision Metal Working.

How much do graduates of the HVAC program typically earn?

The median earnings 2 years after completion for the Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology program are reported at $24,421.

What is the completion rate for this school?

The completion rate is reported at 72.8%.

Is Tidewater Tech-Trades a public or private institution?

It is a private for-profit school.

Home › Virginia › Welding schools › Tidewater Tech-Trades

Tidewater Tech-Trades

Norfolk, Virginia · private for-profit · mainly awards certificates · 367 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation Maintenance

Avg net price / yr

$26,366

cheaper than 5% of comparable schools

Completion rate

72.8%

Median debt at completion

$9,500

Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)

$31,657

earns ~$1,200.7 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Tidewater Tech-Trades is a private for-profit school in Norfolk, VA that mainly awards certificates. It serves students seeking training in construction, HVAC, vehicle repair, and metalworking.

What to know

The average annual net price after aid is $26,366, which leaves most graduates with a median debt of $9,500 upon completion. About 59.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need in the cohort. Typical median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $31,657, but program-specific earnings vary.

Net price is 380% above the Virginia median ($5,490) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 17% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

59.5% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Virginia.

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Programs & what graduates earn

Program	Credential	Median earnings 2 yrs after completion
Precision Metal Working	undergraduate certificate	$25,636
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)	undergraduate certificate	$24,421
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	$22,094
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection	undergraduate certificate	$23,649

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Virginia:

Questions students ask

Does this school offer financial aid like Pell Grants?: Yes, 59.5% of students reported receiving Pell Grants.
What programs and credential levels are available?: The school offers undergraduate certificates in Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection; Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology; Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies; and Precision Metal Working.
How much do graduates of the HVAC program typically earn?: The median earnings 2 years after completion for the Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology program are reported at $24,421.
What is the completion rate for this school?: The completion rate is reported at 72.8%.
Is Tidewater Tech-Trades a public or private institution?: It is a private for-profit school.

Other options in Virginia

School	City	Net price / yr	Completion	Earnings (10 yr)
Advanced Technology Institute	Virginia Beach	$16,358	76.6%	$46,342
Central Virginia Community College	Lynchburg	$6,928	30%	$36,627
Mountain Gateway Community College	Clifton Forge	$4,861	41.7%	$34,293
Danville Community College	Danville	$6,669	33.8%	$31,664
Eastern Shore Community College	Melfa	$2,495	35.2%	$32,418
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Richmond	$5,168	22.2%	$39,529

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 232919. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.