West Virginia State University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,492 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,139 B
- 35% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 23.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $23.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,010,450.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 36% — 37% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why West Virginia State University Matters
West Virginia State University is a public university in Institute, WV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,321
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Humanities, Education
Why students choose West Virginia State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 760–1040. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,139 a year after grants and scholarships — 35% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,492 ten years after enrolling — 1% below the typical college, against $23,338 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 56% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.34 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, West Virginia State University is a welcoming option for students looking to explore diverse fields like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Education. This school is particularly well-suited for those who value a smaller campus environment; with an enrollment of just 1,321, students can expect more personalized attention from faculty and a close-knit community. For students interested in health professions or humanities, the programs here are designed to equip them with practical skills and knowledge.
After graduation, students can expect an average earning of about $40,492 within ten years. This is a solid starting point that reflects the value of the education received here. While the graduation rate stands at 36%, many graduates find that their degrees help them secure employment and advance in their careers over time. The affordability of attending this university plays a significant role in its appeal, especially for those who are mindful of balancing education costs with future earnings.
When it comes to financial considerations, the net price after aid is approximately $11,139, which makes it accessible for many students. The median debt for graduates is $23,338, a manageable amount for those who are strategic about their financial planning. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive environment and are ready to engage with their studies, making the most of the opportunities available to them.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice
- #5 Best HBCU Bachelor's Programs
- #5 Best HBCU Master's Programs
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #6 Best Online HBCU Programs
- #6 Best HBCUs for Computer Science
Can I Get In?
How selective West Virginia State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Virginia State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Institute, West Virginia, West Virginia State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 955. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- SAT Average
- 955
- SAT Range
- 760–1040
- ACT Range
- 15–20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 67%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,141
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 2,775
- Admitted
- 2,669
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Virginia State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Virginia State University is $14,990, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,139. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,457 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,338 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,570
- Out-of-State
- $14,990
- Avg Net Price
- $11,139
- Median Debt
- $23,338
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 18%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,457
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,225
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,703
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,355
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at West Virginia State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is West Virginia State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Virginia State University report median earnings of $40,492, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,849
- 8 Years
- $38,867
- 10 Years
- $40,492
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 48%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (71)
- 18%
- 100% (71)
- 18%
- 100% (71)
- 18%
- 100% (71)
- 18%
How West Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is West Virginia State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, West Virginia State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,139/year ($44,556 total). Graduates earn $40,492 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,055,006 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,010,450 (23.7× your investment). The median debt is $23,338, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $44,556
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,055,006
- Net Return
- $1,010,450
- ROI Multiple
- 23.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,139
- Median Debt
- $23,338
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does West Virginia State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Virginia State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.35%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $88,448
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,631,837
- Investment Income
- $9,042
Top Programs
The fields West Virginia State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $34,625 early-career
- Criminal Justice 14% $32,680 early-career
- Humanities 13% $23,930 early-career
- Education 7% $40,390 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Health Professions 6% $33,980 early-career
- Psychology 4% $30,980 early-career
- Communications 4% $31,771 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for West Virginia State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Virginia State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Institute, West Virginia, West Virginia State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 955. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Virginia State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Virginia State University is $14,990, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,139. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,457 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,338 in federal student loans.
Is West Virginia State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Virginia State University report median earnings of $40,492, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does West Virginia State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Virginia State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is West Virginia State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at West Virginia State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to West Virginia State University.
- Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Close peer39% grad $38,275 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concord UniversityAthens, WV · Close peer41% grad $42,703 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, WV · Close peer36% grad $38,217 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbia CollegeColumbia, SC · Close peer45% grad $41,338 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY · Close peer30% grad $36,382 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of Tennessee SouthernPulaski, TN · Close peer36% grad $38,924 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is West Virginia State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at West Virginia State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note