West Virginia’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
What are the best colleges and universities in West Virginia if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.
Colleges and universities in West Virginia deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.
West Virginia’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.
Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.
How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of West Virginia’s Colleges and Universities
As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of West Virginia’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.
- Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
- Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
- We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
- Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.
Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.
Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families
The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:
- A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
- Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
- Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
- The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
- Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
West Virginia’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
- #13 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #1 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #3 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
- #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #17 Best HBCU Online Programs
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
35%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
952/19
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia State University
Cost of Degree: $9,431Expenses: $16,615Starting Salary: $33,800Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is West Virginia State University known for?
West Virginia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
West Virginia State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Required Credits: 35
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
RBA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2024 #5 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in West Virginia 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in West Virginia
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
- #6 Best Online Master's in Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs
- #8 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
42%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Charleston
Cost of Degree: $21,500Expenses: $14,600Starting Salary: $46,800Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Charleston known for?
University of Charleston’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Business
- Communications
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Chemistry
- Medical
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
University of Charleston’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSCS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Grad Schools in West Virginia 2024
- #2 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #2 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia
- #4 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
- #7 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
- #7 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #8 Best Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Ranked for Students in 2024
- #13 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
- #15 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
- #16 Best RN to BSN Online
- #17 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
- #19 Best Online MBAs in Finance
- #21 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #21 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
- #22 Best Online Master's in Special Education
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Marshall University
Cost of Degree: $8,604Expenses: $15,340Starting Salary: $41,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Marshall University known for?
Marshall University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Earth Sciences
- Medical
- History
- Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Marshall University’s Online Degrees
BA in General Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Geography
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Geography
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Professional Writing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2024 #1 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Grad Schools in West Virginia 2024
- #1 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia
- #2 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
- #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
- #19 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
- #15 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
62%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/23
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University
Cost of Degree: $9,360Expenses: $15,568Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is West Virginia University known for?
West Virginia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
975/19
Career Outlook for degree at Bluefield State University
Cost of Degree: $9,840Expenses: $16,100Starting Salary: $31,900Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bluefield State University known for?
Bluefield State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Bluefield State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Accounting
- Sport Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Accountancy
- Required Credits: 150
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 121-122
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Forensic Investigation
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 120-121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
Degree Concentrations
- Middle Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Humanities
- Required Credits: 81
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- History
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120-121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Services Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Registered Nurse (2+2)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Science
Degree Concentrations
- Pre-Medicine
- Interdisciplinary
- Required Credits: 120-122
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Civil Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 89-91
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Engineering Management
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Imaging Science
Degree Concentrations
- 2+2 Program
- Computed Tomography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Sonography
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Electrical Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 60-64
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
40%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1012/21
Career Outlook for degree at Concord University
Cost of Degree: $9,100Expenses: $14,418Starting Salary: $35,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Concord University known for?
Concord University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- History
- Political Science
- Education
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Concord University’s Online Degrees
BS in Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
33%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Glenville State University
Cost of Degree: $9,064Expenses: $15,158Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Glenville State University known for?
Glenville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Glenville State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #4 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #4 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #7 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
55%
Student body
94K
Career Outlook for degree at American Public University System
Cost of Degree: $7,360Starting Salary: $67,000What is American Public University System known for?
American Public University System’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
American Public University System’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Analytics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Entrepreneurship
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Retail Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Reverse Logistics Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sports Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Technical Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Transportation And Logistics Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Data Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Emergency And Disaster Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Fire Science Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Government Contracting And Acquisition
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Intelligence Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Legal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Security Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Development And Family Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in International Relations And Global Security
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Middle Eastern Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Military History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Philosophy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Religion
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sports And Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Natural Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Space Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
What is Ohio Valley University known for?
Ohio Valley University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #6 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
48%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/21
Career Outlook for degree at Shepherd University
Cost of Degree: $8,282Expenses: $14,862Starting Salary: $43,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Shepherd University known for?
Shepherd University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Communications
- Engineering
- Education
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia #10 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
70%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Wheeling University
Cost of Degree: $29,290Expenses: $14,720Starting Salary: $49,600Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wheeling University known for?
Wheeling University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
46%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
935/20
Career Outlook for degree at Fairmont State University
Cost of Degree: $8,008Expenses: $13,022Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Fairmont State University known for?
Fairmont State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Engineering
- Education
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #7 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
48%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1002/7
Career Outlook for degree at Davis & Elkins College
Cost of Degree: $30,680Expenses: $14,677Starting Salary: $40,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Davis & Elkins College known for?
Davis & Elkins College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Sociology
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Davis & Elkins College’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 40
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
53%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/20
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College
Cost of Degree: $32,976Expenses: $15,725Starting Salary: $48,800Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is West Virginia Wesleyan College known for?
West Virginia Wesleyan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Economics
- Literature
- Business
- History
- Mathematics
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/21
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $7,848Expenses: $15,626Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is West Virginia University Institute of Technology known for?
West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
42%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Bethany College
Cost of Degree: $32,850Expenses: $15,700Starting Salary: $44,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bethany College known for?
Bethany College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
- Education
- Literature
- Political Science
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
26%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Cost of Degree: $4,752Expenses: $13,236Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Potomac State College of West Virginia University known for?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Potomac State College of West Virginia University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- General Business
- Marketing
- Hospitality And Tourism Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Integrated Marketing Communications
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMDS in Multidisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
RBA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
30%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Cost of Degree: $4,132Starting Salary: $33,200What is West Virginia University at Parkersburg known for?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #4 Best Grad Schools in West Virginia 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
29%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Salem University
Cost of Degree: $13,150Expenses: $11,400Starting Salary: $34,100Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Salem University known for?
Salem University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Salem University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Applied Management
- Esports Management
- Finance
- Healthcare Management
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Management
- Retail Management
- Sports & Recreation Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Science
Degree Concentrations
- Data Science
- Software Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise Network Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
Degree Concentrations
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
61%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1009/7
Career Outlook for degree at West Liberty University
Cost of Degree: $8,716Expenses: $15,789Starting Salary: $39,500Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is West Liberty University known for?
West Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
West Liberty University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
34%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
980/18
Career Outlook for degree at Alderson Broaddus University
Cost of Degree: $31,500Expenses: $14,737Starting Salary: $47,000Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Alderson Broaddus University known for?
Alderson Broaddus University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Alderson Broaddus University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn-Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
West Virginia’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
Colleges and Universities in West Virginia
West Virginia has 20 public higher education institutions, all at a sticker price of $9,000 or less, making it one of the more affordable states to earn a degree. With over 25,000 students in attendance, West Virginia University is the largest and charges $9,000 in tuition. Aside from the community and state colleges, six other public universities have populations ranging from about 2,100 to just over 10,000, and all schools have a tuition rate of about $8,000.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
The state is also home to 12 private schools, eight of which are religiously affiliated. The University of Charleston is the largest private university, but its student population is still small. About 2,000 students take classes in fields such as chemistry, political science, and history, and the tuition totals $21,000. At $32,000 in tuition and fees, West Virginia Wesleyan College is the most expensive, but its student population is only slightly above 1,300.
As the only state contained entirely within the Appalachian range, West Virginia is rightfully nicknamed The Mountain State. Those who love the outdoors will feel at home hiking through the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve or skiing at Canaan Valley Ski Resort. History buffs can visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where they can take a walk through life in the 1800s. In addition, the state offers over 30 private and public colleges and universities to those looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Check out the state’s top programs and see why West Virginia could be a good fit for your educational goals and budget.
What are West Virginia’s Colleges & Universities?
- 3 Research Universities
- 18 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 4 Graduate Schools
- 12 Public Colleges & Universities
- 9 Private Colleges & Universities
- 6 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 18 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 14 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 8 Community Colleges
- 10 Online Colleges