Colleges in Alexandria, VA: Virginia Career Training & Degree Programs

ARTICLE: Alexandria In-Depth

Alexandria, located in Alexandria County, VA, is part of the metropolitan Washington area, which includes Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA. The metropolitan area is home to over five million people, and Alexandria contributes almost 150,000 of them. Visitors to the area can see the nation's capital with its many monuments and museums, as well as the National Zoo.

In 2004, the Washington metropolitan area boasted an average per capita income of $46,782, which ranks it fourth in the entire United States, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The area has experienced income growth of about 4.4% over the last 10 years, which slightly more than the national average.

The largest local employers contain a mix of private enterprises, but are mostly related to the federal government. They include:

• The Department of Defense
• The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority
• Alexandria Hospital
• The Institute for Defense Analysis

Those looking for work in Alexandria can increase their employment prospects with degrees in healthcare, paralegal studies, information technology, or government-related subjects. The outlook for employment in Alexandria is good. Jobs in government are plentiful, and since the nation's capital is not likely to move anytime soon, will continue to provide employment in the area. Northern Virginia is rapidly developing as a technology corridor; tech jobs have begun to rival government ones in attracting a talented workforce from all over the country. Jobs in the healthcare industry, particularly nurses and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), are also in high supply, due to the large population of the area.

Sources:

• City of Alexandria
• Bureau of Economic Analysis, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
• Quickfacts (US Census), Alexandria, Virginia
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

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