West Virginia University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Morgantown, West Virginia. It enrolls 17,385 students (a very large 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.
Strong
73/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes67
Value76
Affordability47
Selectivity34
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 89%, West Virginia University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
89%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1010 – 1220
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 26
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 University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending West Virginia 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 $15,634 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,634
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
22%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
45%
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)
$10,104
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$28,608
Room & Board (on-campus)
$14,582
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,012
Books & Supplies
$950
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,080
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,080
Total Cost of Attendance
$26,415
Application fee: $50 (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
$9,450
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,501
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,179
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,710
Over $110,000
$20,273
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.
$3,10610%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$22,500Medianpercentile
$26,25075%percentile
$32,00090%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 $16,336
↓ $6,164
No Pell $14,750
↓ $7,750
Dependent students $15,500
↓ $7,000
Independent students $14,583
↓ $7,917
Female students $16,483
↓ $6,017
Male students $14,924
↓ $7,576
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,864, less than completers ($22,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
50% of full-time students who enrolled at West Virginia University graduate within six years, and 82% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
50%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
82%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$55,939
Earning > $25K
81%
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
$47,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$57,400
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$51,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$56,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,300, about 18% 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 ↑
19.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 86% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
West Virginia University is home to 17,385 students, a sprawling student community. Some distinctive traits: 30% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
17,385
Part-Time
3%
First-Generation
30%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 81.9%14,231
Other 6.0%1,040
Hispanic 4.7%810
Black 3.0%516
Asian 1.6%269
International 1.4%250
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at West Virginia University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityMorgantown, West Virginia
Housing
Partly residential5,458 beds available
Adult Learners
4%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
West Virginia University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
203 distinct programs across
27 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 University is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$20,652
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$852M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$102,440
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,340 instructional faculty across 6 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
442
33%
$134,220
Associate Professors
427
32%
$96,251
Assistant Professors
412
31%
$82,389
Instructors
55
4%
$52,913
Lecturers
1
0%
$34,532
No Rank
3
0%
$132,725
Pros & Cons of West Virginia University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how West Virginia 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
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Below-average completion rate
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, West Virginia University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about West Virginia University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about West Virginia University.
Is West Virginia University hard to get into?
West Virginia University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 89%.
What is the acceptance rate at West Virginia University?
West Virginia University has an acceptance rate of 89%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at West Virginia University scored between 1010 and 1220 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 University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at West Virginia University scored between 20 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does West Virginia University cost?
The average net price after aid at West Virginia University is $15,634 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is West Virginia University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,634 per year. That's roughly 3.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is West Virginia University known for?
West Virginia University is best known for its programs in Kinesiology, Nursing, Teaching Specific Subjects. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do West Virginia University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering West Virginia University are $55,939, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is West Virginia University accredited?
Yes. West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend West Virginia University?
West Virginia University enrolls 17,385 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia University?
West Virginia University graduates 50% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is West Virginia University a public or private college?
West Virginia University is a Public institution.
Where is West Virginia University located?
West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia.
What programs does West Virginia University offer?
West Virginia University offers 203 distinct programs. The most popular include Kinesiology, Nursing, Teaching Specific Subjects.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at West Virginia University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at West Virginia University is 17:1, 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.
Business Administration
Business Administration
Biology
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