West Virginia University
#1 Best Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,939 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,634 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,404,684.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 37% above the national college median.
-
Inventor rate in the top 1% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
Every $1 invested returns $23.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 444300.0%
- Top 1%
- Patents
- 0
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why West Virginia University Matters
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, WV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 17,385
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose West Virginia 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 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,634 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 63% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 17,400 students and a solid acceptance rate of 89%, West Virginia University caters to a diverse range of learners looking for a supportive environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in practical fields like Business and Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Biology, and Social Sciences. What stands out here is the combination of a comprehensive curriculum and a campus culture that encourages personal growth and academic exploration.
Graduates from West Virginia University can expect a median earning of about $55,939 a decade after they leave. That’s a promising figure, especially considering the affordability of the education here. The net price after financial aid is around $15,634, which positions the school as a solid option for students looking to balance costs with potential earnings. With a graduation rate of 63%, many students do find their footing and move into rewarding careers.
On the practical side, students typically graduate with a median debt of $22,500, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The affordability factor is crucial for many, particularly those who may rely on financial aid—22% of students receive Pell Grants. This environment tends to nurture those who are driven and ready to take on challenges, making it a good place for students who are serious about their studies and career aspirations.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges in West Virginia
- #1 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #1 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #1 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
- #1 Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best Business Colleges in West Virginia
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
- #7 Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective West Virginia 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 University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
West Virginia University, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,122. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1122
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1010–1220
- ACT Range
- 20–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,832
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.32
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 18,206
- Admitted
- 16,091
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard West Virginia University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds.
- Submitted SAT
- 56%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 23%
- of enrolled freshmen
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 University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Virginia University is $28,608, 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 $15,634. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,450 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,104
- Out-of-State
- $28,608
- Avg Net Price
- $15,634
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,450
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,501
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,179
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,273
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 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 University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,181
- 8 Years
- $52,556
- 10 Years
- $55,939
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,977)
- 41%
- 100% (1,977)
- 41%
- 100% (1,977)
- 41%
- 100% (1,977)
- 41%
How West Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is West Virginia University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, West Virginia University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,634/year ($62,536 total). Graduates earn $55,939 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,467,220 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,404,684 (23.5× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $62,536
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,467,220
- Net Return
- $1,404,684
- ROI Multiple
- 23.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,634
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
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 University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Virginia 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 1.24%, well above the typical college. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 42700% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.24%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 42700.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
West Virginia University produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 1% of U.S. colleges, with 0 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 444300.00%
- Top 1% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 0
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 575400.00%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-28,809,770
Top Programs
The fields West Virginia 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%
- Health Professions 11% $73,019 early-career
- Engineering 10%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Communications 4%
- Psychology 4% $32,002 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 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Virginia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
West Virginia University, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,122. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Virginia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Virginia University is $28,608, 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 $15,634. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,450 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is West Virginia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does West Virginia University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Virginia 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 1.24%, well above the typical college. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 42700% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
How Connected Is West Virginia 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 University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does West Virginia University offer Early Decision?
No. West Virginia University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is West Virginia University really test-optional?
West Virginia University reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 79% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to West Virginia University.
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Close peer62% grad $55,146 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · Close peer63% grad $57,624 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · Close peer50% grad $54,990 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is West Virginia 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 University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note