West Virginia State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Institute, West Virginia. It enrolls 1,321 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
57/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes12
Value78
Affordability53
Selectivity6
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 96%, West Virginia State University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
96%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
760 – 1040
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
15 – 20
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether West Virginia State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
1.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending West Virginia State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $11,139 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$11,139
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
18%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,570
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$14,990
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,522
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,522
Books & Supplies
$1,206
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,761
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,761
Total Cost of Attendance
$19,772
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$9,457
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,225
$48,001 – $75,000
$10,703
$75,001 – $110,000
$13,798
Over $110,000
$17,355
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$23,338Medianpercentile
$23,53475%percentile
$36,91890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,219
↓ $6,119
No Pell $11,000
↓ $12,338
Dependent students $14,000
↓ $9,338
Independent students $19,000
↓ $4,338
Female students $16,000
↓ $7,338
Male students $14,375
↓ $8,963
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($23,338), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
35% of full-time students who enrolled at West Virginia State University graduate within six years, and 60% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
35%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
60%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered West Virginia State University earn a median of $40,492 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$40,492
Earning > $25K
67%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$30,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$38,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$30,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$36,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$38,500
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $7,900, about 21% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
20.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 59% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
West Virginia State University is home to 1,321 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 43% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,321
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
43%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 61.7%815
Black 19.8%261
International 4.6%61
Other 4.3%57
Hispanic 3.4%45
Asian 0.8%10
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at West Virginia State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize SuburbInstitute, West Virginia
Housing
Partly residential376 beds available
Adult Learners
8%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Historically Black College / University (HBCU)
What You Can Study
West Virginia State University offers
a varied set of programs:
28 distinct programs across
18 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at West Virginia State University is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,006
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$12M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,413
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
101 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
35
35%
$72,023
Associate Professors
26
26%
$66,061
Assistant Professors
26
26%
$58,657
Instructors
14
14%
$45,803
Pros & Cons of West Virginia State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how West Virginia State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, West Virginia State University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about West Virginia State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about West Virginia State University.
Is West Virginia State University hard to get into?
West Virginia State University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 96%.
What is the acceptance rate at West Virginia State University?
West Virginia State University has an acceptance rate of 96%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at West Virginia State University scored between 760 and 1040 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for West Virginia State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at West Virginia State University scored between 15 and 20 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does West Virginia State University cost?
The average net price after aid at West Virginia State University is $11,139 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is West Virginia State University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $40,492 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $11,139 per year. That's roughly 3.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is West Virginia State University known for?
West Virginia State University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do West Virginia State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering West Virginia State University are $40,492, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is West Virginia State University accredited?
Yes. West Virginia State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend West Virginia State University?
West Virginia State University enrolls 1,321 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia State University?
West Virginia State University graduates 35% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is West Virginia State University a public or private college?
West Virginia State University is a Public institution.
Where is West Virginia State University located?
West Virginia State University is located in Institute, West Virginia.
What programs does West Virginia State University offer?
West Virginia State University offers 28 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at West Virginia State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at West Virginia State University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in West Virginia
Other colleges in West Virginia share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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