Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2023

Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2023

Small colleges in West Virginia are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

10 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2022

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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.

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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

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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in West Virginia is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 18 small colleges in West Virginia. The list below of the best small colleges in West Virginia. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2022

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    980/19

    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. #2

    University of Charleston

    Charleston , WV

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1072/21

    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
  3. #3

    West Liberty University

    West Liberty , WV

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/20

    West Liberty University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    960/19

    What 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. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    1K

    What 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
  6. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1015/20

    What is West Virginia University Institute of Technology known for?

    West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    950/19

    Alderson Broaddus University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn-Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    2K

    What is West Virginia University at Parkersburg known for?

    West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #14

    Salem University

    Salem , WV

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    <1K

    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
  10. Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    45%

    Median SAT/ACT

    980/20

    What is Ohio Valley University known for?

    Most Influential Alumni

  11. Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    <1K

    Davis & Elkins College’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 40
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    1K

    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
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West Virginia’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. Bethany College
  2. Glenville State University
  3. Concord University
  4. Shepherd University
  5. Davis & Elkins College
  6. Wheeling University
  7. West Virginia Wesleyan College
  8. Alderson Broaddus University
  9. University of Charleston
  10. Ohio Valley University
  11. West Liberty University