Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Find the best online colleges in West Virginia ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.
Top 10 Online Colleges in West Virginia
- Marshall University
- West Virginia State University
- Concord University
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- West Liberty University
- Glenville State University
- Davis & Elkins College
- University of Charleston
- Alderson Broaddus University
- Catholic Distance University
- Marshall University
- West Virginia State University
- University of Charleston
- West Liberty University
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- Concord University
- Alderson Broaddus University
- Catholic Distance University
- Davis & Elkins College
- Glenville State University
- Marshall University 97%
- West Virginia State University 96%
- Concord University 91%
- Davis & Elkins College 75%
- West Liberty University 74%
- University of Charleston 68%
- Alderson Broaddus University 61%
- Glenville State University 16 to 1
- Marshall University 16 to 1
- University of Charleston 16 to 1
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University 16 to 1
- West Virginia State University 16 to 1
- Concord University 15 to 1
- Alderson Broaddus University 14 to 1
- West Liberty University 12 to 1
- Davis & Elkins College 10 to 1
- Catholic Distance University 3 to 1
- University of Charleston $31,900
- Alderson Broaddus University $31,500
- Davis & Elkins College $30,680
- Catholic Distance University $8,880
- West Virginia State University $8,856
- West Liberty University $8,716
- Concord University $8,540
- Glenville State University $8,044
- Marshall University $7,190
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University $4,752
- Alderson Broaddus University $29,000
- University of Charleston $16,400
- West Virginia State University $9,168
- Concord University $9,162
- Catholic Distance University $8,550
- Glenville State University $8,280
- Marshall University $7,520
- West Liberty University $7,080
- Catholic Distance University
- Alderson Broaddus University
- University of Charleston
- Davis & Elkins College
- Glenville State University
- West Liberty University
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- Concord University
- West Virginia State University
- Marshall University
- Glenville State University
- Davis & Elkins College
- Catholic Distance University
- Alderson Broaddus University
- Concord University
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- West Liberty University
- University of Charleston
- West Virginia State University
- Marshall University
- Alderson Broaddus University 61%
- University of Charleston 68%
- West Liberty University 74%
- Davis & Elkins College 75%
- Concord University 91%
- West Virginia State University 96%
- Marshall University 97%
- Catholic Distance University 3 to 1
- Davis & Elkins College 10 to 1
- West Liberty University 12 to 1
- Alderson Broaddus University 14 to 1
- Concord University 15 to 1
- Glenville State University 16 to 1
- Marshall University 16 to 1
- University of Charleston 16 to 1
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University 16 to 1
- West Virginia State University 16 to 1
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University $4,752
- Marshall University $7,190
- Glenville State University $8,044
- Concord University $8,540
- West Liberty University $8,716
- West Virginia State University $8,856
- Catholic Distance University $8,880
- Davis & Elkins College $30,680
- Alderson Broaddus University $31,500
- University of Charleston $31,900
- West Liberty University $7,080
- Marshall University $7,520
- Glenville State University $8,280
- Catholic Distance University $8,550
- Concord University $9,162
- West Virginia State University $9,168
- University of Charleston $16,400
- Alderson Broaddus University $29,000
Featured Programs
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
West Virginia’s Best Overall
Best Online Colleges in West Virginia 2023
- #2 Best Grad Schools in West Virginia 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Marshall University
Cost of Degree: $8,942Expenses: $16,352Starting Salary: $41,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in General Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA/BS in Geography
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Professional Writing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Regents Bachelor of Arts
Emphasis Areas
- Digital Forensics
- Information Assurance
- Web Application Development
- Game Development
- Instructional Technology and Library Science
- Creative Writing in English
- Religious Studies
- Literature in English
- Anthropology
- Communication Studies
- Criminal Justice
- Geography
- GIScience Geography
- Human Geography
- Physical Geography
- Military Science
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
- Preschool Development
- Program type: Degree completion
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #11 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #1 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 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: $9,499Expenses: $16,568Starting Salary: $33,800Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Accounting
- Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Regents Bachelor of Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2025 #9 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2025
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: $9,700Expenses: $16,282Starting Salary: $35,700Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2025 #8 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
26%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Cost of Degree: $5,040Expenses: $16,020Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 18 months
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #6 Best Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia 2025
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: $8,732Expenses: $15,818Starting Salary: $39,500Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
33%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Glenville State University
Cost of Degree: $9,412Expenses: $16,072Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
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: $31,270Expenses: $15,191Starting Salary: $40,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 1 year
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Private Colleges in West Virginia 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in West Virginia 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in West Virginia 2024 #5 Best 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: $21,610Expenses: $15,892Starting Salary: $46,800Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 1.5-4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA/BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
34%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
980/18
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 18 months
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in West Virginia 2025 #25 Best Online Master's in Theology 2025 #25 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BA in Theology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 6 years
- Format: Online