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Best Schools in West Virginia

2023 Best Schools in West Virginia

26 Schools Ranked
$47,651 Average Earnings
$28,764 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Schools in West Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 26 schools in West Virginia to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in West Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
15,140 Total Awards
$57,404 Average Earnings
$13,099 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best school for students in West Virginia. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15,140 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,099 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, American Military University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,404 during the early year of their career.

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#2

University of Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
1,000 Total Awards
$64,407 Average Earnings
$21,403 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Charleston is a great place for students. Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,000 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $21,403 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,407 during the early years of their career.

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166 Total Awards
$50,754 Average Earnings
$48,818 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 26 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia University Institute of Technology landed the # 3 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Beckley, West Virginia, and it awarded 166 degrees in .

Degree recipients from West Virginia University Tech accumulate an average of $48,818 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, West Virginia University Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,754 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Wheeling University

Wheeling, West Virginia
136 Total Awards
$38,212 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wheeling University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Schools in West Virginia list. Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 136 diplomas to qualifed students in .

During the early years of their career, Wheeling University graduates make an average of $38,212 annually.

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#5

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
6,428 Total Awards
$51,750 Average Earnings
$48,057 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 26 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, the large public school awarded 6,428 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Degree recipients from WVU accumulate an average of $48,057 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,750 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia
594 Total Awards
$40,748 Average Earnings
$30,302 Avg Student Debt

Shepherd University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in West Virginia ranking. Located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 594 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $30,302 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Shepherd University graduates make an average of $40,748 annually.

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#7

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, West Virginia
806 Total Awards
$43,759 Average Earnings

Pierpont Community and Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Pierpont Community and Technical College is located in Fairmont, West Virginia and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 806 degrees to qualified students.

During the early years of their career, Pierpont Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $43,759 annually.

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#9

West Liberty University

West Liberty, West Virginia
544 Total Awards
$48,761 Average Earnings
$30,882 Avg Student Debt

West Liberty University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. West Liberty, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 544 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,882 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, West Liberty University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,761 during the early year of their career.

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#10

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia
303 Total Awards
$36,112 Average Earnings
$12,454 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in West Virginia ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, the very small private for-profit school awarded 303 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Degree recipients from WVJC Morgantown accumulate an average of $12,454 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WVJC Morgantown graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,112 during the early year of their career.

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#11

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Huntington, West Virginia
197 Total Awards
$37,004 Average Earnings

Mountwest Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in West Virginia list. Huntington, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 197 students in .

Once they receive their degree, MCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,004 during the early year of their career.

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#12

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
596 Total Awards
$41,032 Average Earnings
$10,309 Avg Student Debt

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 596 degrees in .

On average, students take out $10,309 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,032 annually.

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#13

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, West Virginia
265 Total Awards
$47,785 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #13, West Virginia Wesleyan College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Buckhannon, West Virginia that handed out 265 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, West Virginia Wesleyan graduates make an average of $47,785 annually.

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#14

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, West Virginia
313 Total Awards
$46,587 Average Earnings

BridgeValley Community & Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in West Virginia list. BridgeValley Community & Technical College is a public institution located in South Charleston, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 313 degrees in .

After graduating from BridgeValley Community & Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,587 during the early years of their career.

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#15

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia
877 Total Awards
$45,920 Average Earnings
$21,200 Avg Student Debt

Fairmont State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Fairmont, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 877 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,200 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Fairmont State graduates make an average of $45,920 annually.

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#16

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
2,717 Total Awards
$52,481 Average Earnings
$21,610 Avg Student Debt

Marshall University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in West Virginia ranking. Marshall University is located in Huntington, West Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 2,717 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,610 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Marshall University graduates make an average of $52,481 annually.

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#17

Concord University

Athens, West Virginia
450 Total Awards
$36,250 Average Earnings

Concord University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. This small public school is located in Athens, West Virginia, and it awarded 450 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Concord University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,250 during the early year of their career.

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#18

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

Cross Lanes, West Virginia
113 Total Awards
$24,785 Average Earnings

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. WVJC Charleston is a private for-profit institution located in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 113 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, WVJC Charleston graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,785 during the early year of their career.

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#19

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia
611 Total Awards
$45,400 Average Earnings

West Virginia University at Parkersburg did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. This small public school is located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and it awarded 611 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates make an average of $45,400 annually.

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#20

Salem University

Salem, West Virginia
266 Total Awards
$51,133 Average Earnings
$17,729 Avg Student Debt

Salem University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Salem is a private for-profit institution located in Salem, West Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 266 degrees in .

On average, students take out $17,729 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Salem graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,133 during the early year of their career.

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#21

Bluefield State College

Bluefield, West Virginia
234 Total Awards
$46,103 Average Earnings

Bluefield State College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Bluefield State College is located in Bluefield, West Virginia and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 234 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Bluefield State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,103 during the early year of their career.

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#22

West Virginia State University

Institute, West Virginia
347 Total Awards
$37,970 Average Earnings
$21,746 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in West Virginia list. West Virginia State University is a small public school located in Institute, West Virginia that handed out 347 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,746 in student loans.After graduating from WVSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,970 during the early years of their career.

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#23

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling, West Virginia
293 Total Awards
$37,542 Average Earnings
$14,194 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Northern Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 293 degrees in .

On average, students take out $14,194 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WVNCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,542 during the early year of their career.

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318 Total Awards
$44,589 Average Earnings

New River Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. New River Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Beaver, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 318 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, New River Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $44,589 annually.

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#25

Glenville State College

Glenville, West Virginia
286 Total Awards
$32,699 Average Earnings
$19,208 Avg Student Debt

Glenville State College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Schools in West Virginia list. Glenville State College is a public institution located in Glenville, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 286 degrees in .

On average, students take out $19,208 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Glenville State College graduates make an average of $32,699 annually.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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