Career Training Path › West Virginia › Academy of Careers and Technology
Academy of Careers and Technology
Beckley, West Virginia · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 390 Stanaford Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 · Phone: 3042564615302 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Academy of Careers and Technology is a public trade school in Beckley, West Virginia offering LPN, cosmetology, and CDL training, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Academy of Careers and Technology has an 81.5% completion rate versus a 68.5% state average, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,756, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at Academy of Careers and Technology is $18,803, and federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, with 38.4% of students receiving Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $45,690 | $55,360 | $61,300 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $34,480 | $46,340 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $36,350 | $49,480 | $58,720 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,570 | $39,250 | $44,570 |
| Electricians | $43,620 | $64,810 | $83,920 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,700 | $48,810 | $60,170 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in West Virginia (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | $30,397 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | $15,652 | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Academy of Careers and Technology is a public trade and career-training campus in Beckley, West Virginia. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. The school's most-awarded programs are LPN / LVN programs, Cosmetology schools, and CDL / truck driving schools, drawn from six total program families including phlebotomy, electrician, and welding training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 81.5%, above the state average of 68.5% for similar programs. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,756. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $18,803, and 38.4% of students receive Pell Grants. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 168 undergraduate students and 106 trade completers, this small-city campus tends to run compact, career-focused programs rather than long multi-year degrees, which may suit adults changing careers or students seeking a faster path into a licensed trade. Program lengths themselves are not detailed in the data provided, so prospective students should confirm schedules directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcome figures independently, check the Council on Occupational Education's records and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard listing for this campus.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Academy of Careers and Technology offers six program families, with LPN / LVN programs, Cosmetology schools, and CDL / truck driving schools as the top programs, alongside phlebotomy, electrician, and welding training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 81.5%, which is above the state average of 68.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at 3042564615302 or check the College Scorecard link for more detail.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,756 per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported cost of attendance is $18,803 per year.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly at 3042564615302 or via https://www.wvact.net/ to confirm program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?237729.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers compact program families like LPN, cosmetology, and CDL training in a small-city setting, which may suit adults seeking a shorter path to a licensed trade, though specific program length and schedule details are not reported here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Academy of Careers and Technology by phone at 3042564615302 or visit their website at https://www.wvact.net/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; use the College Scorecard link to compare against other campuses directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in West Virginia
- BPM Truck AcademyBeckley, WV
- Valley College-BeckleyBeckley, WV · 63% completion
- New River Community and Technical CollegeBeaver, WV · 36% completion
- BPM Truck AcademyBeaver, WV
- New River community and technical collegeGhent, WV
- Pierpont Community and Technical CollegeFairmont, WV · 42% completion
- James Rumsey Technical InstituteMartinsburg, WV · 77% completion
- Fred W Eberle Technical CenterBuckhannon, WV · 98% completion
See all trade and career schools in West Virginia or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.