West Virginia's higher education landscape offers students 15 qualifying institutions, with a notable mix of public and private options leading the rankings. The top five schools include three public universities and two private-for-profit institutions, reflecting the state's diverse educational approach. Leading schools distinguish themselves through strong graduation rates, competitive tuition costs, and solid career outcomes for graduates. When evaluating West Virginia colleges, students should prioritize factors like program strength in their intended major, campus location preferences, and financial aid availability. The state's flagship institutions provide comprehensive research opportunities, while smaller colleges often offer more personalized attention and tight-knit campus communities that can enhance the overall educational experience.
25
Schools Ranked
$40,160
Avg. Earnings
44.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate
Top 25 Schools
| # | School | Graduation Rate | Median Earnings | Acceptance Rate | In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia
|
53.2% | $44,409 | $8,400 | |
| 2 |
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston
Cross Lanes, West Virginia
|
76.6% | $27,472 | $14,544 | |
| 3 |
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
|
61.2% | $55,939 | 88.4% | $9,648 |
| 4 |
West Liberty University
West Liberty, West Virginia
|
60.6% | $43,296 | 74.1% | $8,732 |
| 5 |
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Keyser, West Virginia
|
26.0% | $55,939 | $5,040 | |
| 6 |
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Martinsburg, West Virginia
|
41.0% | $39,293 | $4,344 | |
| 7 |
West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
|
59.0% | $31,912 | $14,313 | |
| 8 |
Strayer University-West Virginia
Scott Depot, West Virginia
|
50.0% | $40,092 | $13,920 | |
| 9 |
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, West Virginia
|
36.1% | $55,939 | 64.6% | $8,064 |
| 10 |
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport
Bridgeport, West Virginia
|
60.7% | $27,472 | $14,747 | |
| 11 |
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Fairmont, West Virginia
|
39.1% | $35,132 | $5,594 | |
| 12 |
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Moorefield, West Virginia
|
40.6% | $31,636 | $4,288 | |
| 13 |
Glenville State University
Glenville, West Virginia
|
35.5% | $39,315 | $9,412 | |
| 14 |
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Parkersburg, West Virginia
|
30.6% | $35,171 | $4,420 | |
| 15 |
Appalachian Bible College
Mount Hope, West Virginia
|
75.6% | $37,467 | 100.0% | $18,230 |
| 16 |
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
|
49.5% | $49,358 | 95.9% | $8,642 |
| 17 |
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
South Charleston, West Virginia
|
27.1% | $36,432 | $5,282 | |
| 18 |
West Virginia Northern Community College
Wheeling, West Virginia
|
29.6% | $30,162 | $4,544 | |
| 19 |
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
|
48.7% | $46,354 | 96.9% | $8,942 |
| 20 |
University of Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
|
46.3% | $55,774 | 67.7% | $32,842 |
| 21 |
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia
|
48.3% | $46,857 | 98.5% | $8,454 |
| 22 |
New River Community and Technical College
Beaver, West Virginia
|
29.9% | $29,073 | $5,158 | |
| 23 |
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Logan, West Virginia
|
25.0% | $32,153 | $4,944 | |
| 24 |
Salem University
Salem, West Virginia
|
27.3% | $34,642 | $10,750 | |
| 25 |
Concord University
Athens, West Virginia
|
42.3% | $42,703 | 91.4% | $9,700 |
Browse all colleges in West Virginia →
Related Guides
See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.