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Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, Virginia · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 121 College Place, Norfolk, VA 23510 · Phone: (757) 822-1111 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Tidewater Community College is a public trade and career school in Norfolk, VA, offering auto mechanic, electrician, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tidewater Community College has a 31.7% completion rate, below the Virginia state average of 57.1%; median graduate debt is $10,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,349, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 30.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,540 | $59,330 | $76,540 |
| Electricians | $40,780 | $62,900 | $78,190 |
| Medical assistants | $37,090 | $44,740 | $46,570 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,540 | $45,420 | $50,390 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $42,520 | $59,180 | $65,400 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $60,000 | $80,670 | $95,870 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $43,010 | $63,270 | $77,270 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $45,250 | $61,090 | $70,460 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,630 | $53,290 | $64,950 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,760 | $59,730 | $73,440 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,580 | $64,920 | $74,540 |
| Machinists | $45,120 | $61,290 | $71,470 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 259 | not reported | not reported | $5,841 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 45 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 35 | $35,934 | $26,896 | $7,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 33 | $44,245 | $46,282 | $9,650 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 29 | $49,656 | $50,439 | $10,450 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 27 | $29,693 | $23,456 | $7,225 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 21 | $44,245 | $46,282 | $9,650 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 21 | $42,438 | $32,925 | $7,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 19 | $49,656 | $50,439 | $10,450 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 16 | $28,813 | $36,668 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | $5,841 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | $16,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $49,656 | $50,439 | $10,450 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 10 | $23,264 | $19,227 | $16,637 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $35,934 | $26,896 | $7,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | $42,438 | $32,925 | $7,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | $5,841 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $35,934 | $26,896 | $7,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $29,693 | $23,456 | $7,225 |
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
Tidewater Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Norfolk, Virginia, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. The college awards credentials across 24 program families, most heavily in auto mechanic schools, electrician schools, and medical assistant programs, with other offerings including welding, HVAC, LPN, and CNC machining programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 31.7%, which is below the Virginia state average of 57.1%. Graduates who take out loans carry a median debt of $10,000, and median earnings ten years after entry are $38,349. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 30.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment is 12,082, with 630 trade-program completers reflected in the data.
This campus offers a wide mix of shorter trade credentials and longer associate-degree pathways across mechanical, medical, and technical fields, though program length and schedule details are not reported here. Given the size and breadth of programs, it may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, but applicants should confirm specific program lengths and formats directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcome data independently, check the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools directory and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Tidewater Community College offers 24 program families, with the largest enrollments in auto mechanic schools, electrician schools, and medical assistant programs. Other offerings include welding, HVAC, EMT training, radiology tech, culinary, diesel mechanic, medical billing/coding, LPN, and CNC machining programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Tidewater Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its accreditation 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 students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 31.7%, which is below the Virginia state average of 57.1%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $10,000.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,349, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (757) 822-1111 or visit https://www.tcc.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Tidewater Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233772.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a broad range of trade and technical programs, which may suit adult career changers, but specific program formats and schedules are not reported here, so confirm with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to learn about requirements for specific programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Tidewater Community College at (757) 822-1111 or through its website at https://www.tcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233772 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Norfolk, VA
- Tidewater Tech-TradesNorfolk, VA · 71% completion
- Centura College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 73% completion
- Fortis College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 30% completion
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance-NorfolkNorfolk, VA · 79% completion
- Advanced Technology InstituteNorfolk, VA
- ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · university
- Advanced Technology InstituteVirginia Beach, VA · 79% completion
- Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg, VA · 45% completion
See all trade and career schools in 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.