Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

$4,944Tuition

1,146Students

25%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,153Earnings

#23 in West VirginiaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College serves the coal country and rural communities of Appalachia with hands-on career training. The college enrolls 1,146 students across its programs designed for workforce development. Nearly 94% of students come from West Virginia, reflecting the school's deep roots in the region. Classes maintain a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in technical fields.

Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $7,019 annually after aid, while those from higher-income households face steeper costs up to $15,575. Graduates earn a median of $32,153 ten years after starting college. Monthly loan payments average just $97, and median debt sits at $9,190. The employment rate reaches 88.9%, suggesting strong job placement in regional industries. This represents solid value for students seeking practical skills without crushing debt.

The student body skews heavily female at 72%, unusual for a technical college. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves working-class families throughout southern West Virginia. Only 25% complete their programs within six years, though many students attend part-time while working. The college fills a crucial role providing accessible career training in an economically challenged region.

Academics & Faculty

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College focuses on career preparation and workforce development for the coal mining region. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention in small classes. However, only 25% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing education with work and family obligations in this rural area. The college emphasizes technical training in fields like automotive technology, welding, and healthcare support programs. Many students attend part-time while working, which explains the lower completion rate. Programs align with regional employment needs, preparing students for jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades. The college serves as a vital educational lifeline for communities where higher education options are limited.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Faculty: 67.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 25.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,153

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$55,512
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$40,728
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$37,568
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$18,771

View all 34 programs →

Campus Life

This Appalachian community college draws 94% of its students from West Virginia, creating a tight-knit local atmosphere in Logan County. Women make up 72% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong healthcare and business programs that appeal to career-changing adults. The campus sits in coal country, about two hours south of Charleston, where students need winter coats for snowy mountain winters and light layers for humid summers.

Most students commute from nearby mining communities and small towns, giving the campus a practical, no-nonsense feel during weekdays. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in programs like nursing, welding, and business administration. With 52% of students receiving Pell Grants, many are first-generation college students balancing work and family responsibilities. Weekends tend to be quiet on campus as students return to jobs and families. The focus stays firmly on career preparation rather than traditional college social life, with an 89% employment rate showing graduates find work quickly in the region's healthcare facilities, businesses, and technical industries.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–43°F
July Avg: 66°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.4"
Annual Snowfall: 16.7"

Student Demographics

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College draws nearly all its students from within state borders, reflecting its deep roots in Appalachian communities. Women make up nearly three-quarters of the student body, which aligns with the college's strength in healthcare, education, and human services programs popular in the region. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to serving working-class families. The overwhelmingly local student base creates a tight-knit campus where students often know each other from their hometowns and share similar backgrounds and career goals.

Men: 27.7%
Women: 72.3%
White: 95.6%
Black: 1.7%
Hispanic: 1.5%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 94.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 52.0%

Location

Logan sits in the coal mining region of southern West Virginia, about 60 miles from Charleston. The town serves as a center for the rural communities scattered throughout the Appalachian foothills. With 94% of students coming from in-state, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College draws heavily from local mining families and residents seeking career training without leaving the mountains. The campus serves a region where traditional industries have declined, making workforce development programs essential for economic stability. Logan offers small-town living with outdoor recreation in nearby forests and streams. Students considering colleges in West Virginia may also compare Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Logan, West Virginia 25601

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,153
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,508
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 40.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $97/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,190

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College?

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, serving 1,146 students primarily from rural Appalachian communities. The college focuses on providing accessible education to local residents, with 94% of students coming from in-state.

How much does Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,064 annually, with costs varying by family income from $7,019 for families earning under $30,000 to $15,575 for those earning over $110,000. About 52% of students receive financial aid, and those who borrow graduate with a median debt of just $9,190.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College?

The college maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for relatively personalized attention in career-focused programs. The institution emphasizes workforce development and technical training to serve the economic needs of southern West Virginia's rural communities.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College?

Graduates achieve an 89% employment rate, reflecting the college's strong focus on career preparation and local workforce needs. However, median earnings start at $20,873 one year after graduation and reach $32,153 ten years later, which aligns with the regional economy of rural West Virginia.

What is the campus environment like at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College?

The student body of 1,146 is 72% female and 96% white, reflecting both the college's strong programs in traditionally female-dominated fields and the demographics of rural southern West Virginia. The campus serves as an educational center for scattered communities in this mountainous region.

How successful are students at completing their programs at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College?

The college has a 25% six-year graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges serving rural, first-generation college students who often balance work and family responsibilities. Many students attend part-time or transfer to four-year institutions before completing their associate degrees.