Best Colleges in West Virginia for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in West Virginia

Best Associate Degrees in West Virginia

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The state of West Virginia has a wide variety of options available for those interested in earning a two-year degree. You can choose from top colleges and universities offering programs in most career fields. While curriculums vary, most associate degrees provide students with a broad introduction to a specific industry, as well as a foundation in general education topics. Graduates will be prepared to apply for most entry-level positions in their chosen field but may also consider transferring credits to another higher education institution.

Potomac State College of West Virginia University

College Type 4-year, primarily associate's, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,193 Graduation Rate 24% Net Price $8,277 Grads Salary $51,800

Pierpont Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,613 Graduation Rate 29% Net Price $6,659 Grads Salary $33,000

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 3,912 Graduation Rate 35% Net Price $5,896 Grads Salary $29,000

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

College Type 4-year, primarily associate's, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 2,624 Graduation Rate 35% Net Price $8,226 Grads Salary $31,400

West Virginia Northern Community College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,253 Graduation Rate 24% Net Price $4,155 Grads Salary $29,000

West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown

College Type 2-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 622 Graduation Rate 59% Net Price $16,344 Grads Salary $24,800

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,662 Graduation Rate 21% Net Price $6,361 Grads Salary $34,100

Mountwest Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,292 Graduation Rate 27% Net Price $8,178 Grads Salary $31,900

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,474 Graduation Rate 21% Net Price $5,308 Grads Salary $27,400

New River Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,053 Graduation Rate 13% Net Price $3,155 Grads Salary $28,700

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Huntington Junior College

College Type 2-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 212 Graduation Rate 15% Net Price $9,972 Grads Salary $21,200

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College

College Type 2-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 374 Graduation Rate 18% Net Price $6,090 Grads Salary $31,100

Best Bachelor's Degrees in West Virginia

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A four-year degree from a college in West Virginia can provide you with the high-quality education, knowledge, and experience you need to build a successful career in almost any field. Whether you have a specific major in mind or are undecided, earning a bachelor’s degree can prepare you for success in a huge variety of specialized positions. Graduates can also use their degree to qualify for further education in related fields. Additionally, many professional certifications and credentials require candidates to have an undergraduate degree.

West Virginia University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 26,269 Graduation Rate 62% Net Price $13,087 Grads Salary $70,700

American Public University System

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 50,047 Graduation Rate 48% Net Price $11,503 Grads Salary $70,000

Marshall University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 11,958 Graduation Rate 50% Net Price $8,387 Grads Salary $61,900

Alderson Broaddus University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 863 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $20,080 Grads Salary $95,000

West Virginia Wesleyan College

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,066 Graduation Rate 55% Net Price $19,843 Grads Salary $72,000

West Liberty University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 2,496 Graduation Rate 53% Net Price $13,812 Grads Salary $62,800

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,645 Graduation Rate 28% Net Price $10,151 Grads Salary $80,100

Shepherd University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,159 Graduation Rate 46% Net Price $10,685 Grads Salary $62,600

Bethany College

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 576 Graduation Rate 43% Net Price $14,666 Grads Salary $67,600

Davis & Elkins College

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 776 Graduation Rate 48% Net Price $18,819 Grads Salary $68,800

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Concord University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,886 Graduation Rate 38% Net Price $8,677 Grads Salary $62,100

University of Charleston

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 2,718 Graduation Rate 46% Net Price $20,598 Grads Salary $68,200

Bluefield State College

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 1,243 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $11,451 Grads Salary $67,000

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

College Type 4-year, primarily associate's, Public Campus Housing No Student Population 2,624 Graduation Rate 35% Net Price $8,226 Grads Salary $56,000

Fairmont State University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,803 Graduation Rate 35% Net Price $10,608 Grads Salary $58,300

Wheeling University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 798 Graduation Rate 42% Net Price $30,366 Grads Salary $78,000

West Virginia State University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,638 Graduation Rate 30% Net Price $12,399 Grads Salary $59,400

Glenville State College

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,583 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $15,071 Grads Salary $58,600

Potomac State College of West Virginia University

College Type 4-year, primarily associate's, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,193 Graduation Rate 24% Net Price $8,277 Grads Salary $45,800

Salem University

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,008 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $18,753 Grads Salary $51,000

Ohio Valley University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 318 Graduation Rate 25% Net Price $15,520 Grads Salary $51,400

Strayer University-West Virginia

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 325 Graduation Rate 16% Net Price NA Grads Salary $45,900

Best Master's Degrees in West Virginia

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Not all fields require an advanced degree, but many employers often give preference to candidates who have either master’s or doctorate degrees. These programs demonstrate a clear dedication to and understanding of major content, as well as an inclination toward meaningful research. Students gain highly developed skills in analysis and critical thinking, which make them incredibly marketable in most fields. Graduates are not only likely to be more competitive professionally, but they often earn higher salaries, promote faster, and enjoy more job security.

West Virginia University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 26,269 Graduation Rate 62% Net Price $13,087 Grads Salary $70,700

American Public University System

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 50,047 Graduation Rate 48% Net Price $11,503 Grads Salary $70,000

Marshall University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 11,958 Graduation Rate 50% Net Price $8,387 Grads Salary $61,900

Alderson Broaddus University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 863 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $20,080 Grads Salary $95,000

West Virginia Wesleyan College

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,066 Graduation Rate 55% Net Price $19,843 Grads Salary $72,000

West Liberty University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 2,496 Graduation Rate 53% Net Price $13,812 Grads Salary $62,800

Shepherd University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,159 Graduation Rate 46% Net Price $10,685 Grads Salary $62,600

Bethany College

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 576 Graduation Rate 43% Net Price $14,666 Grads Salary $67,600

Concord University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,886 Graduation Rate 38% Net Price $8,677 Grads Salary $62,100

University of Charleston

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 2,718 Graduation Rate 46% Net Price $20,598 Grads Salary $68,200

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Fairmont State University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,803 Graduation Rate 35% Net Price $10,608 Grads Salary $58,300

Wheeling University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 798 Graduation Rate 42% Net Price $30,366 Grads Salary $78,000

West Virginia State University

College Type 4-year, Public Campus Housing Yes Student Population 3,638 Graduation Rate 30% Net Price $12,399 Grads Salary $59,400

Salem University

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 1,008 Graduation Rate 32% Net Price $18,753 Grads Salary $51,000

Ohio Valley University

College Type 4-year, Private not-for-profit Campus Housing Yes Student Population 318 Graduation Rate 25% Net Price $15,520 Grads Salary $51,400

Strayer University-West Virginia

College Type 4-year, Private for-profit Campus Housing No Student Population 325 Graduation Rate 16% Net Price NA Grads Salary $45,900

Cost of West Virginia College Education & Salaries

The State of West Virginia supports a higher education system of public colleges and universities. The Flagship is the University of West Virginia, and it includes West Virginia State University, and West Virginia State University Institute of Technology. Because of public support from tax payers, public schools, colleges, and universities offer a two-tier tuition system that favors West Virginia residents. The out-of-state tuition rates are much higher than in-state, and this difference reflects the support provided by West Virginia residents to higher education in the state.

When West Virginia students seek a major that may not be available at a West Virginia public college or university, they may be able to use the Education Common Market. The state of West Virginia cooperates with some neighboring states to extend in-state tuition rates. West Virginia students as residents of West Virginia can attend select colleges and universities in nearby states. Through the Academic Common Market, the options include Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, and Tennessee. West Virginia families can pay in-state tuition at public schools in the education common market. Students can get in-state discounts if they enroll in an approved degree program.

Best Scholarships for West Virginia

The costs of higher education are the most difficult barrier for most applicants. Few families can easily pay the average of nearly $50,000 per year in the average tuition and expenses for a college education. Scholarships and grants can fill unmet needs for financial resources to pay for tuition and fees. Unlike loans, grants and scholarships do not require repayment. An additional category for student consideration are loans that students can repay through service and employment. In areas of shortage such as teaching and nursing, some scholarships take the form of student loans with forgiveness upon service as a teacher or nurse. While there are not scholarships in the traditional sense, they can work as well for students with a personal and professional commitment to public service.

WVHEGP

West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program

https://secure.cfwv.com/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarships_and_Grants/West_Virginia_Higher_Education_Grant.aspx
Amounts: $2,700
Deadline: April 15
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program is a need-based financial assistance program. The grant helps qualified undergraduate students who demonstrate needs for financial assistance. Applicants must attend or plan to attend an approved educational institution located in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. The grants are renewable; students may renew their grants each year up to an additional three years beyond the initial award. Eligible applicants must be US citizens, reside in West Virginia, and have demonstrated financial need. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and be studying or plan to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student at an approved educational institution in West Virginia or Pennsylvania.

PS

Promise Scholarship

https://secure.cfwv.com/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarships_and_Grants/West_Virginia_PROMISE.aspx
Amounts: Full tuition scholarship to a WV Public school or an equal amount to a WV private college.
Deadline: March 1
Promise (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence) is a merit-based scholarship program. The program provides West Virginia students with a full tuition scholarship to a state school, college, or university. If selecting a private school, then the fund will pay an equivalent amount to the private institution. The PROMISE scholarship does not rely on need or parental contributions. PROMISE scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement.

TRFS

The Roothbert Fund Scholarships

https://www.roothbertfund.org/scholarships
Amounts: $2,000-$3,000 (20 Awards, Renewable)
Deadline: February 1
The scholarship fund supports high achieving students with demonstrated need. The fund awards to students without regard to race, gender, or national origin. Eligible applicants must reside in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, or North Carolina. Students may attend accredited colleges or universities anywhere in the US. While every major course of study is eligible for awards, the criteria favor education majors and careers.

AMS&AWMA

Allegheny Mountain Section Air & Waste Management Assn. Scholarships

http://www.ams-awma.org/amsscholarship
Amounts: Varies
Deadline: Varies
This scholarship program supports students that seek to pursue an education and career in environmental science. The eligible colleges and schools in West Virginia include Bethany College, Salem University, Bluefield State College, Fairmont State College, Shepard College, West Virginia State College, West Virginia University, West Virginia Institute of Technology, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Davis & Elkins College, and the State College System of WV.