Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2026
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.
Key Takeaways
- Small colleges in West Virginia are known for their close-knit, community-oriented campus life, where students have ample opportunities to take on leadership roles, participate in student organizations, and engage in campus traditions, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
- Many of the colleges in our ranking emphasize a broad-based liberal arts education, complemented by hands-on learning opportunities such as internships, research projects, and community service, helping students apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
- Small colleges in West Virginia offer low student-to-faculty ratios, allowing students to receive individualized attention and build close relationships with professors, creating a more supportive and engaging academic environment.
10 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia in 2026
This list highlights West Virginia’s top small colleges for 2026, focusing on four-year undergraduate institutions (several also offer graduate degrees). To qualify, schools are fully accredited and enroll fewer than 5,000 students; the full search identifies 18 small colleges that meet those thresholds.
Rather than a single “best” school, the selections emphasize the advantages small campuses typically offer—smaller class sizes, closer faculty access, and distinct campus cultures—so you can compare institutions by academic strengths, program offerings, campus setting, and student experience to find the best fit for your goals in West Virginia.
Best Small Colleges in West Virginia
- #11 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
36%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
900/17
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia State University
Cost of Degree: $9,499Expenses: $16,568Starting Salary: $43,742Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
RBA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #1 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2026 #4 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in West Virginia
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Charleston
Cost of Degree: $21,610Expenses: $15,892Starting Salary: $56,207Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
University of Charleston’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 3 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BSCS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: 2 years
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #4 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #5 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
52%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1006/21
Career Outlook for degree at West Liberty University
Cost of Degree: $8,732Expenses: $15,818Starting Salary: $49,503Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
- Format: Fully online
- #1 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #2 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #6 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
50%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1026/19
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College
Cost of Degree: $33,494Expenses: $16,045Starting Salary: $55,361Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
48%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Bethany College
Cost of Degree: $34,126Expenses: $16,352Starting Salary: $49,672Cost Recoup Time: 16 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
- #5 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #8 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
55%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
940/20
Career Outlook for degree at Fairmont State University
Cost of Degree: $8,454Expenses: $14,486Starting Salary: $49,370Cost Recoup Time: 10 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 Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #9 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
36%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Cost of Degree: $5,040Expenses: $16,020Starting Salary: $62,910Cost 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Integrated Marketing Communications
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: 18 months
- Format: Fully online
BMDS in Multidisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
RBA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 28
- Format: Fully online
- #7 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #5 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1009/21
Career Outlook for degree at Shepherd University
Cost of Degree: $8,642Expenses: $14,874Starting Salary: $54,833Cost Recoup Time: 9 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 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #8 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
41%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
960/20
Career Outlook for degree at Concord University
Cost of Degree: $9,700Expenses: $16,282Starting Salary: $45,054Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Concord University known for?
Concord University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- History
- Political Science
- Education
- Literature
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Concord University’s Online Degrees
BS in Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #9 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
34%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Cost of Degree: $5,248Starting Salary: $38,665What is West Virginia University at Parkersburg known for?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
30%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/21
Career Outlook for degree at West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $8,064Expenses: $17,140Starting Salary: $62,910Cost 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
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #5 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #7 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
34%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
980/18
What 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: 18 months
- Format: Fully online
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in West Virginia #9 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
36%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Wheeling University
Cost of Degree: $29,475Expenses: $15,812Starting Salary: $64,655Cost Recoup Time: 13 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 Grad Schools in West Virginia 2026 #7 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #10 Best Online Master's Programs in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$12K
Graduation
24%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Salem University
Cost of Degree: $10,750Expenses: $11,200Starting Salary: $42,194Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
- Format: Fully 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
- Format: Fully online
BSBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Science
Degree Concentrations
- Data Science
- Software Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise Network Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Criminal Justice
Degree Concentrations
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Completion Time: 10 months
- Format: Fully online
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in West Virginia 2026 #8 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2026 #23 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
34%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
975/19
Career Outlook for degree at Bluefield State University
Cost of Degree: $10,240Expenses: $16,827Starting Salary: $45,981Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Accountancy
- Required Credits: 150
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 121-122
- Completion Time: 4 years
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Forensic Investigation
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement
- Required Credits: 125
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 120-121
- Format: Fully online
BS in Elementary Education
Degree Concentrations
- Middle Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Humanities
- Required Credits: 81
- Format: Fully online
BA in Regents Bachelor Of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- History
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120-121
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Services Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Registered Nurse (2+2)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Applied Science
Degree Concentrations
- Pre-Medicine
- Interdisciplinary
- Required Credits: 120-122
- Format: Fully online
BS in Civil Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 89-91
- Format: Fully online
BS in Engineering Management
- Required Credits: 64
- Format: Fully online
BS in Imaging Science
Degree Concentrations
- 2+2 Program
- Computed Tomography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Sonography
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Electrical Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 60-64
- Format: Fully online
BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 97-98
- Format: Fully online
- #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in West Virginia 2026 #8 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
29%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Glenville State University
Cost of Degree: $9,412Expenses: $16,072Starting Salary: $44,924Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #8 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2026 #9 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
44%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1002/7
Career Outlook for degree at Davis & Elkins College
Cost of Degree: $31,270Expenses: $15,191Starting Salary: $45,563Cost Recoup Time: 16 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
- Format: Fully online
What is Ohio Valley University known for?
Ohio Valley University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
West Virginia’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest
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.
Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Iowa and Texas.
