About Concord University
Concord University prepares future teachers and business leaders in West Virginia's rolling hills. The school serves 1,394 students with strong programs in education and business administration. This public university accepts 91% of applicants, welcoming students who scored around 1013 on the SAT. The rural-fringe campus in Athens attracts students seeking small-class attention and mountain community feel.
Students pay an average net price of $9,983 after financial aid, making this one of West Virginia's more affordable options. Nearly 47% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's commitment to first-generation college students. Graduates earn a median of $42,703 ten years after graduation with typical debt loads of $18,900. The monthly loan payment averages $200, manageable given the employment rate of 94.5%. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to just $8,292.
The Mountain Lions compete in NCAA Division II with 464 student-athletes across 12 sports. Athletic scholarships total nearly $2 million annually. However, the 49% retention rate suggests many students struggle to stay enrolled. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention, but only 42% graduate within six years. Students considering Concord should be prepared for a close-knit environment that requires self-motivation to succeed.
Students pay an average net price of $9,983 after financial aid, making this one of West Virginia's more affordable options. Nearly 47% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's commitment to first-generation college students. Graduates earn a median of $42,703 ten years after graduation with typical debt loads of $18,900. The monthly loan payment averages $200, manageable given the employment rate of 94.5%. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to just $8,292.
The Mountain Lions compete in NCAA Division II with 464 student-athletes across 12 sports. Athletic scholarships total nearly $2 million annually. However, the 49% retention rate suggests many students struggle to stay enrolled. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention, but only 42% graduate within six years. Students considering Concord should be prepared for a close-knit environment that requires self-motivation to succeed.
Academics & Faculty
Concord University builds its academic reputation around education and business programs that serve West Virginia's workforce needs. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates small classes where professors know students by name. However, the 42% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges many students face in completing their degrees. Education majors benefit from extensive field experience in local schools, while business students gain practical skills through internships with regional employers. The university's semester system allows for deep engagement with coursework. With nearly 80% of students coming from West Virginia, Concord maintains strong ties to the state's educational and business communities, preparing graduates for careers close to home.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80.9%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 41.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 42.3%
- Retention Rate
- 49.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,703
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | Master | $41,286 |
| Social Work. | Master | $40,827 |
| Public Health. | Master | $36,848 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,883 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,397 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $27,222 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $27,126 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $25,856 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| History. | Bachelor | $24,615 |
Campus Life
Athens sits in southern West Virginia's rolling hills, about two hours from Charleston and three from Pittsburgh. You'll need a solid winter coat here, as mountain snow regularly blankets the small town from December through March. With housing capacity for 1,012 students and total enrollment of 1,394, roughly three-quarters of students live on campus or nearby. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, and the rural-fringe setting creates a tight-knit community feel.
Weekends revolve around Mountain Lions athletics, with 464 student-athletes competing across 12 NCAA Division II sports in the Mountain East Conference. The campus becomes a gathering spot for games, especially during basketball and football seasons. Students often head to nearby Bluestone Lake for outdoor activities or make the drive to Beckley for shopping and dining options. With 58.9% of students being women and 79.63% from West Virginia, the social scene feels familial rather than competitive. Greek life isn't dominant here, so students build friendships through residence halls, academic programs, and campus organizations.
Weekends revolve around Mountain Lions athletics, with 464 student-athletes competing across 12 NCAA Division II sports in the Mountain East Conference. The campus becomes a gathering spot for games, especially during basketball and football seasons. Students often head to nearby Bluestone Lake for outdoor activities or make the drive to Beckley for shopping and dining options. With 58.9% of students being women and 79.63% from West Virginia, the social scene feels familial rather than competitive. Greek life isn't dominant here, so students build friendships through residence halls, academic programs, and campus organizations.
- Setting
- Rural-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 1,012 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1872
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 20°–40°F
- July Avg
- 58°–80°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 38.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- -1,526.5"
Student Demographics
Concord draws mostly West Virginia residents who stay close to home for college, with nearly 80% of students coming from in-state. The student body leans female at nearly 60%, reflecting the university's strength in education and social work programs that traditionally attract more women. With 47% of students receiving Pell Grants, Concord serves as an accessible option for working-class families across Appalachia. The overwhelmingly white student population mirrors the demographics of rural southern West Virginia, where the university has built deep community ties over its 150-year history.
- Men
- 41.1%
- Women
- 58.9%
- White
- 80.1%
- Black
- 8.0%
- Hispanic
- 0.7%
- Asian
- 0.7%
- In-State Students
- 79.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 46.8%
Location
Athens sits in southern West Virginia, about 45 minutes from Charleston, the state capital. The town of roughly 1,000 people centers around Concord's 123-acre campus in the Appalachian foothills. With 1,394 students and only 79.63% from in-state, the university brings diversity to this rural community. The surrounding region offers outdoor recreation typical of West Virginia's mountainous terrain. Small-town atmosphere defines daily life here, where the university serves as the primary economic driver. Students enjoy a close-knit environment where the 15:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the personal attention possible in this setting. Students considering colleges in West Virginia may also compare Concord University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Athens, West Virginia 24712
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,703
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $45,066
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $28,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 47.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $200/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,900
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Concord University?
Concord University accepts 91.39% of applicants, making it highly accessible to most students. The average SAT score is 1013, reflecting the school's commitment to serving a broad range of academic backgrounds in rural West Virginia.
How much does Concord University cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Concord University is $9,983, making it quite affordable for a four-year degree. Nearly 47% of students receive Pell Grants, and the median debt upon graduation is a manageable $18,900.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Concord University?
Concord University maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,394 total students. This small size allows for personalized attention in the school's well-regarded education and business programs.
What are the graduation rates at Concord University?
Concord University has a 42.30% six-year graduation rate and graduates earn a median salary of $42,703 ten years after graduation. The 94.5% employment rate shows strong job placement despite the modest graduation numbers.
Where is Concord University located and what is campus life like?
Concord University sits in Athens, West Virginia, in a rural-fringe setting that houses 1,012 students on campus. The Mountain Lions compete in NCAA Division II with 464 total athletes across 12 varsity sports, creating a tight-knit athletic community.
Does Concord University have strong retention rates?
Concord University has a 49.04% retention rate, meaning about half of first-year students return for their sophomore year. This relatively low retention reflects the challenges many rural public universities face in keeping students engaged through graduation.
