Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in West Virginia offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia

West Virginia State University
American Public University System
West Liberty University
Fairmont State University
Bethany College
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Shepherd University
Bluefield State University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Concord University

West Virginia State University
Bethany College
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Fairmont State University
American Public University System
West Liberty University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Shepherd University
Concord University
West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Fairmont State University 98%
Bluefield State University 97%
West Virginia State University 96%
Shepherd University 96%
West Virginia Wesleyan College 96%
Concord University 91%
Davis & Elkins College 75%
West Liberty University 74%
Wheeling University 73%
Bethany College 65%

American Public University System 24 to 1
Glenville State University 16 to 1
Potomac State College of West Virginia University 16 to 1
West Virginia State University 16 to 1
West Virginia University at Parkersburg 15 to 1
Concord University 15 to 1
Shepherd University 15 to 1
Alderson Broaddus University 14 to 1
Salem University 14 to 1
Bluefield State University 14 to 1

West Virginia Wesleyan College $32,976
Bethany College $32,640
Alderson Broaddus University $31,500
Davis & Elkins College $30,680
Wheeling University $28,290
Salem University $13,150
West Virginia State University $8,856
Bluefield State University $8,840
West Liberty University $8,716
Concord University $8,540

Alderson Broaddus University $29,000
Salem University $13,464
West Virginia Wesleyan College $11,128
Wheeling University $9,900
Bethany College $9,900
West Virginia State University $9,168
Concord University $9,162
Bluefield State University $8,840
Glenville State University $8,280
Shepherd University $8,280

Glenville State University
Davis & Elkins College
Wheeling University
Ohio Valley University
Salem University
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Alderson Broaddus University
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Concord University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Glenville State University
Davis & Elkins College
Ohio Valley University
Salem University
Bluefield State University
Wheeling University
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Alderson Broaddus University
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Concord University

Alderson Broaddus University 61%
West Virginia University Institute of Technology 65%
Bethany College 65%
Wheeling University 73%
West Liberty University 74%
Davis & Elkins College 75%
Concord University 91%
West Virginia Wesleyan College 96%
Shepherd University 96%
West Virginia State University 96%

Wheeling University 9 to 1
Davis & Elkins College 10 to 1
West Virginia Wesleyan College 11 to 1
West Virginia University Institute of Technology 12 to 1
West Liberty University 12 to 1
Bethany College 12 to 1
Fairmont State University 13 to 1
Alderson Broaddus University 14 to 1
Salem University 14 to 1
Bluefield State University 14 to 1

West Virginia University at Parkersburg $4,032
Potomac State College of West Virginia University $4,752
Fairmont State University $6,022
Shepherd University $6,288
American Public University System $7,360
West Virginia University Institute of Technology $7,848
Glenville State University $8,044
Concord University $8,540
West Liberty University $8,716
Bluefield State University $8,840

American Public University System $6,660
West Liberty University $7,080
Fairmont State University $7,474
Glenville State University $8,280
Shepherd University $8,280
Bluefield State University $8,840
Concord University $9,162
West Virginia State University $9,168
Wheeling University $9,900
Bethany College $9,900

Table of Contents

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?

West Virginia’s Best Overall

How do we determine West Virginia's best liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 18 liberal arts colleges in West Virginia. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in West Virginia, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2023

Build your own college rankings

West Virginia’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia

Colleges and Universities in West Virginia

What are West Virginia’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2023

Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia State University

Most Influential Alumni

West Virginia State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at American Public University System

American Public University System’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at West Liberty University

Most Influential Alumni

West Liberty University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Fairmont State University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Bethany College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Shepherd University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Bluefield State University

Most Influential Alumni

Bluefield State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Most Influential Alumni

Potomac State College of West Virginia University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Concord University

Most Influential Alumni

Concord University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Most Influential Alumni

Most Influential Alumni

Alderson Broaddus University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Career Outlook for degree at Salem University

Most Influential Alumni

Salem University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Wheeling University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Davis & Elkins College

Most Influential Alumni

Davis & Elkins College’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Glenville State University

Most Influential Alumni

Glenville State University’s Online Degrees

West Virginia’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest