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West Virginia State University is a public, small university located in Institute, West Virginia, just outside of the capital of West Virginia in the middle of serene forests and nature and it’s within an easy drive to five border states and major cities. This exposure to various environments and populations allows for WVSU graduates to thrive in public service and leadership roles across the US and beyond.
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Overview of West Virginia State University
The student population of WVSU is just over 3,500 individuals, of which roughly 97% are undergraduate students. It was founded in 1891 originally, as a Historically Black University. Today, it represents a highly diverse student population representing various regions across the US, as well as the world. All types of students attend WVSU, including adult learners.
Innovative educational methodologies and applied research are the central focus of all programs, as are the goals of meeting the developmental and economic needs of the region. A variety of degree programs are available in a wide range of subject matters including liberal arts, social sciences, sciences, business, and professional studies. As students pursue their career aspirations, they will also focus on the core values of the university to evolve as a human as well as an academic. And students can participate in sports, cultural organizations, student clubs, student government, and more.
General Information
School Type | Public |
---|---|
Campus Setting | Suburb: Midsize |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 11:1 |
Graduation Rate | 31% |
Year Founded | 1891 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students4,120
4,009
111
Undergraduate Student
Male 1,644
Female 2,365
Graduate Student
Male 46
Female 65
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Top Rankings For West Virginia State University
Admissions
APPLICATIONS2,242
ACCEPTANCE2,130
Acceptance Rate95%
Enrollment 277
Admissions | |
---|---|
Application Fee | $20 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | Recommended |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Recommended |
Recommendations | NA |
SAT/ACT | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | August 17 |
Common Application Accepted | No |
Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
A student can expect the in-state tuition at West Virginia State University to be $8,237. The out-of-state tuition is significantly higher, much like all public schools, at $17,691. At least 94% of students receive financial aid to assist with minimizing the expense of higher education. As a result, the average net price is $9,657.
Another $16,000 or so will be necessary for books, supplies and room and board. This cost is roughly the same for all students. Do not forget to include the costs of one’s social life off-campus and miscellaneous expenses including regional day trips, monthly app and streaming subscriptions, shopping expenses, and much more. One way students help offset daily living and social expenses is to obtain a part-time job. The university can help find students such work, possibly even on campus.
Average net price | 2018-2019 |
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Net Price | $9,657 |
Average Total Aid | $8,271 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 94% |
Room & Board | $12,538 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $8,237
- Tuition Out-of-State - $17,691
- Books and Supplies - $1,701
- Room & Board - $12,538
- Other - $2,505
Academics
West Virginia State University has four colleges with 23 undergraduate programs, 28 minors, and a handful of graduate programs. The colleges offer an excellent pathway to outstanding career possibilities including arts and humanities, business and social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, and professional studies. The featured majors vary greatly but include art, biology, criminal justice, education, engineering, political science, nursing, music, social work, sport studies, and more.
Graduate programs are highly specialized including biotechnology, criminal justice administration, education in instructional leadership, media studies, public administration, computer science, and sports studies. Some students choose to continue their education at WVSU with both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree consecutively. An honors program is also available for individuals who excel in their field of study. This provides students with an advantage once it is time to seek employment upon graduation.
Overall, the retention rate at WVSU is 61% and the four-year and six-year graduation rates are 15% and 31%, respectively. These figures are lower than average. A few reasons for these low numbers could be that more students are taking courses online and the student-to-faculty ratio has increased from 11 to 1 up to 17 to 1 in recent years. This means that students are no longer receiving as much personal attention as they once did to be able to stay on track in their programs.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 4,120
4,009
111
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 46 Total Graduates / 13% |
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General Studies | 46 Graduates |
All Business Majors | 44 Total Graduates / 13% |
Business Administration and Management, General | 44 Graduates |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services | 43 Total Graduates / 13% |
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 43 Graduates |
All Education Majors | 40 Total Graduates / 12% |
Elementary Education and Teaching | 28 Graduates |
Secondary Education and Teaching | 12 Graduates |
Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 32 Total Graduates / 9% |
Social Work | 32 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 40% |
Outcome & Salary
An internship is an important part of the WVSU experience. These academic programs provide each student with the hands-on experience necessary to be seen as a desirable candidate in today’s intensely competitive job market. Internships allow students to utilize their educational theories in a practical and realistic learning environment. These types of experiences also prepare students for a first-hand encounter with the way in which a work environment functions including behaviors, expectations, and pay. It also helps students determine whether or not they are on the right career path.
The Office of Career Services assists students with such internship opportunities, along with part-time work and full-time employment upon graduation. The services offered prepare students for long-term success and include professional skill development, goal creation, career planning, job searching, job recruitment, student forums, graduate school preparation, and more. Today, students can utilize video conferencing applications to take advantage of these services.
Graduates Salary | |
---|---|
College Grads Early Career Salary | $42,900 |
College Grads Average Salary | $58,527 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $78,900 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
---|---|
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $585,270 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,374,270 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $38,628 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $546,642 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,335,642 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
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National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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