Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia
- 11
- Schools
- $48,322
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,161
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,769
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 11 schools run from $40,492 to $57,949, a 1.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Marshall University delivers the most for the money: roughly $46,354 in median earnings against $7,502 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Marshall University ($7,502 net price), still posts $46,354 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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West Virginia University graduates 63% of its students, versus a 45% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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West Virginia University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.40× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 West Virginia University ($55,939 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Wheeling University ($57,949), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Marshall University costs $7,502 a year and Wheeling University costs $20,503. Yet their graduates earn $46,354 and $57,949, nowhere near the $13,001 price gap.
- On value, Marshall University beats Wheeling University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Marshall University and West Virginia University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 West Virginia University #1 overall | $55,939 ▲ +16% vs avg | $15,634 | 63% | 72 |
| 2 West Liberty University #2 overall | $43,296 ▼ -10% vs avg | $15,366 | 60% | 71 |
| 3 Marshall University #3 overall | $46,354 ▼ -4% vs avg | $7,502 | 50% | 70 |
| $42,703 ▼ -12% vs avg | $9,966 | 41% | 70 | |
| $49,358 ▲ +2% vs avg | $11,363 | 50% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,322 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $14,161.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Marshall University — Net Price: $7,502 | Graduation Rate: 50%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: West Virginia University — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Wheeling University — Median alumni earnings: $57,949
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
West Virginia Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in West Virginia?
$46,354
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$15,366
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across West Virginia, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 11 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $46,354 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 47%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,366 a year, with about $23,250 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 35% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.2%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for West Virginia pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $15,366 and median earnings of $46,354 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
West Virginia University lands at #1 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,634 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
West Liberty University lands at #2 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,296 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,366 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Marshall University lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $46,354 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,502 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Concord University lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $42,703 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,966 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Shepherd University lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,358 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,363 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
West Virginia Wesleyan College lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,593 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,083 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
West Virginia State University lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $40,492 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Beckley, WV · 37% accepted · $9,337 net
Why it ranks #8
West Virginia University Institute of Technology lands at #8 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,337 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Davis & Elkins College lands at #9 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,411 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,273 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Bethany College lands at #10 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,512 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,605 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Wheeling University lands at #11 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $57,949 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,503 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're considering studying biology in West Virginia, you're not alone. With the rising importance of STEM fields, many students are weighing their options carefully. In our analysis, we've focused on biology programs across the state to highlight those that stand out in terms of outcomes.
The strongest schools on this list excel in key areas like graduation rates, earnings after graduation, student debt, and overall mobility. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $47,995, while the average graduation rate is 45%. That means, while many students are completing their degrees, there's still room for improvement in ensuring students achieve their goals.
Take West Virginia University in Morgantown and West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley. Both have the same average earnings of $55,939, but their graduation rates differ significantly: 63% at Morgantown compared to 34% at Beckley. This difference can be a crucial factor in your decision-making process as it reflects the level of support and resources available to students at each institution.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 8 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Marshall University leads the group at 1.7%, with Concord University (1.4%) and West Virginia State University (1.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 10% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. West Virginia State University enrolls the most, at 14%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 11.7% across the list, peaking at 17.6% at Marshall University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and West Virginia University is highest at 1.63.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, the differences between schools can be stark. For example, while both West Virginia University and Marshall University provide solid earnings after graduation, the latter has a lower graduation rate of 50% compared to 63%. This suggests that students at West Virginia University may have better support systems in place, potentially leading to more successful outcomes.
After reviewing this list, take some time to reflect on what matters most to you. Consider factors like location, campus culture, and program specifics alongside the financial implications. If high graduation rates and lower debt are priorities, schools like West Virginia University could be more aligned with your goals. Alternatively, if a lower net price is essential, Marshall University might be appealing despite its higher debt.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career is influenced heavily by the choices we make now. Families must weigh not just the data, but also personal circumstances and aspirations. Choosing the right biology program can set the stage for a successful future, and understanding these metrics is a vital step in that journey.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia ranking? +
West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $55,939 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 63% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Wheeling University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $57,949 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,322 average across the 11 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Marshall University leads: graduates earn a median $46,354 against net price of about $7,502 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
West Virginia University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 63%, compared with a 45% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,161 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. Marshall University is among the most affordable at roughly $7,502. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 11 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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