About Wheeling University
Students pay an average net price of $19,040 after financial aid, making this private education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $57,949 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $25,125. The monthly loan payment of $266 represents a manageable burden given earning potential. Nearly 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $21,746, helping offset the sticker price.
The student body skews heavily male at 66%, largely due to strong athletics programs that award $3.5 million in scholarships annually. Twenty varsity sports teams compete in NCAA Division II, with 457 student-athletes representing over 80% of enrollment. The Cardinals play in the Mountain East Conference. Only 9% of students come from West Virginia, drawing a surprisingly diverse geographic mix to this Appalachian campus. The 53% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many first-generation college students face.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 53.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 32.0%
- Retention Rate
- 65.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,949
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,744 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,999 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $54,531 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $37,568 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 |
Campus Life
Winter coats are essential here, Wheeling experiences four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm summers along the Ohio River. Housing capacity reaches 829 students, though many commute since only 9% of students are from in-state. Weekend activities center around Cardinal athletics, with 457 student-athletes competing across 20 varsity sports in NCAA Division II. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture through service opportunities and faith-based programming. Students often gather in the residence halls or venture into downtown Wheeling for dining and entertainment. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic struggles don't go unnoticed.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 829 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1954
Campus Safety (2023)
2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–36°F
- July Avg
- 62°–82°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 99.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 13.7"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 66.3%
- Women
- 33.7%
- White
- 43.9%
- Black
- 27.5%
- Hispanic
- 6.5%
- Asian
- 1.9%
- In-State Students
- 9.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 25.2%
Location
- Address
- Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,949
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $58,483
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $41,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 64.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $266/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,125
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Wheeling University?
Wheeling University accepts 72.65% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a small Catholic institution. The university maintains a student body of just 567 students, creating an intimate academic environment where admissions decisions focus on fit as much as grades.
How much does Wheeling University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $19,040 annually, well below the sticker price of $29,475 in tuition. The university provides institutional grants averaging $21,746 to nearly 30% of students, helping make this Catholic education more accessible to working families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Wheeling University?
The student-faculty ratio stands at 14:1, ensuring small class sizes typical of the university's focus on nursing and education programs. With only 567 total students, professors know students personally and provide hands-on training essential for healthcare and teaching careers.
What are the graduation outcomes at Wheeling University?
The six-year graduation rate is 32%, reflecting challenges common among small regional universities serving first-generation college students. However, graduates who complete their degrees earn a median salary of $57,949 ten years after graduation, strong returns for careers in nursing and education.
Where do most students at Wheeling University come from?
Only 9.04% of students come from West Virginia, with the vast majority traveling from other states to attend. The student body is 43.92% white and 27.51% Black, creating unusual diversity for a small Catholic university in Appalachia.
Does Wheeling University have strong athletics programs?
The Cardinals compete in NCAA Division II with 20 varsity sports and 457 total athletes, meaning over 80% of students participate in athletics. The university awards $3.54 million in athletic scholarships, using sports as a major recruitment tool for this small Catholic institution.
