West Virginia Northern Community College: $4,544 Tuition

$4,544Tuition

785Students

30%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$30,162Earnings

#18 in West VirginiaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia Northern Community College sits in Wheeling, serving 785 students who want practical training without the price tag of a four-year degree. The school focuses on career preparation and workforce development in the Ohio Valley region. With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, you'll get personal attention that's hard to find at larger schools. Most students (88.89%) come from West Virginia, creating a tight-knit community where professors know your name.

The money story here is straightforward. Students pay an average net price of $3,215 after financial aid, and families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,297. That's incredibly affordable compared to most colleges. Graduates earn a median of $30,162 ten years after starting, with typical monthly loan payments of only $109. The median debt of $10,245 is manageable compared to what four-year college students often face. With an employment rate of 91.6%, most graduates find work quickly.

The student body is 62.68% women, reflecting the school's strong programs in healthcare and other fields that attract more female students. While the six-year graduation rate of 29.60% might seem low, remember that many community college students attend part-time while working or transfer to four-year schools before completing their associate degrees.

Academics & Faculty

West Virginia Northern Community College serves the Ohio Valley with practical, career-focused programs that get students into the workforce quickly. With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, classes stay small enough for professors to know your name and help you succeed. The college offers strong programs in nursing, business, and skilled trades like welding and automotive technology, which match the needs of local employers. However, the 29.6% graduation rate reflects a common challenge at community colleges where many students work full-time or attend part-time while juggling family responsibilities. Students here typically choose two-year associate degrees or certificate programs that lead directly to jobs rather than four-year bachelor's degrees.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Faculty: 44.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 29.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $30,162

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$58,673
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$50,677
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$31,567
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$26,739
Business/Commerce, General.	Associate	$22,578
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$22,424
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$21,508
Social Work.	Associate	$20,140
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$20,140
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$14,318

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

West Virginia Northern sits in Wheeling, a former steel town about 60 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. With just 785 students, this community college feels more like an extended high school than a sprawling campus. The 62.68% female student body creates a quieter, more study-focused atmosphere than you'd find at a big university. Most students commute from the Ohio River Valley area, as evidenced by the 88.89% in-state enrollment.

Wheeling's winters require a good coat, with snow and freezing temperatures common from December through March. The small-town setting means limited nightlife options, so weekends often involve trips to Pittsburgh or Morgantown for entertainment. Since this is a commuter school without dorms, campus life revolves around classes and study groups rather than residence hall activities. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice if you miss class. Students here are typically working adults, recent high school graduates planning to transfer, or people retraining for new careers, creating a practical, no-nonsense academic environment.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1972

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 21°–36°F
July Avg: 62°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 99.2"
Annual Snowfall: 13.7"

Student Demographics

West Virginia Northern draws students who want practical training close to home, with 89% coming from in-state and many seeking career-focused programs that lead directly to jobs. The student body of 785 is mostly women (63%), which reflects the school's strong health sciences and business programs that traditionally attract female students. About 42% receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families in the Ohio Valley who need affordable pathways to better-paying careers without leaving the region.

Men: 37.3%
Women: 62.7%
White: 88.7%
Black: 3.3%
Hispanic: 2.6%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 88.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 42.5%

Location

West Virginia Northern Community College sits in Wheeling, a historic river city of about 27,000 people along the Ohio River in West Virginia's northern panhandle. The campus is roughly 60 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, making it accessible to students from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Wheeling was once a major industrial center and still shows its blue-collar roots, with steel mills and manufacturing plants dotting the Ohio River valley. The area offers small-city amenities without big-city costs, and the college draws 88.89% of its 785 students from within West Virginia. The surrounding region includes rolling hills and former coal mining communities. Students considering colleges in West Virginia may also compare West Virginia Northern Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Wheeling, West Virginia 26003-3699

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $30,162
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,826
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 31.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $109/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,245

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at West Virginia Northern Community College?

West Virginia Northern Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 785 students with a focus on providing accessible higher education to the local Wheeling community. Nearly 89% of students come from West Virginia, reflecting its role as a regional educational center.

How much does West Virginia Northern Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,215 annually, making it highly affordable compared to four-year institutions. In-state tuition runs $4,544 while out-of-state students pay $12,728. About 42% of students receive financial aid, with the lowest-income families paying just $2,297 per year after aid.

What is the student-faculty ratio at West Virginia Northern Community College?

The college maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in small class settings. This intimate learning environment helps students build strong relationships with instructors across the college's career-focused programs. The college has operated on a semester calendar system since its founding in 1972.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at West Virginia Northern Community College?

The college reports a 29.6% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the community college model where many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. Graduates enjoy a strong 91.6% employment rate with median earnings of $30,162 ten years after enrollment. Students typically graduate with manageable debt of $10,245 and monthly loan payments of just $109.

What is the campus environment like at West Virginia Northern Community College?

The college operates in small-city Wheeling, serving a predominantly local student body that is 63% female and 89% white. Students benefit from the tight-knit community atmosphere typical of smaller colleges. The school's unique Thundering Chickens mascot reflects the friendly, down-to-earth culture that characterizes this Ohio Valley institution.

Does West Virginia Northern Community College offer good value for career preparation?

The college delivers strong return on investment with graduates earning $34,276 just one year after completion and $37,826 after five years. Only 10% of students take out federal loans, keeping debt levels low for most attendees. The college's focus on practical career training and workforce development makes it an excellent choice for students seeking affordable, job-ready education in the Ohio Valley region.