Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
- 21
- Schools
- $41,426
- Avg. Earnings
- 39%
- Avg. Graduation
- $10,829
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,183
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $28,951 at the low end to $57,949 at the top. That 2.0× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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West Virginia University at Parkersburg offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $35,171 against $1,807 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is West Virginia University at Parkersburg, at $1,807 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: West Virginia University graduates 63% of its students, well above the 39% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor New River Community and Technical College: graduates owe only 0.25× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Charleston ($55,774 earnings), not the highest earner, Wheeling University ($57,949). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($1,807/yr) and University of Charleston ($22,107/yr) produce graduates earning $35,171 and $55,774 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $20,300 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, West Virginia University at Parkersburg outperforms Wheeling University: similar career earnings at a much lower 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg 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
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $40K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 University of Charleston #1 overall | $55,774 ▲ +35% vs avg | $22,107 | 46% | 79 |
| 2 Marshall University #2 overall | $46,354 ▲ +12% vs avg | $7,502 | 50% | 78 |
| 3 Shepherd University #3 overall | $49,358 ▲ +19% vs avg | $11,363 | 50% | 76 |
| $43,296 ▲ +5% vs avg | $15,366 | 60% | 75 | |
| $38,217 ▼ -8% vs avg | $13,684 | 36% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
This analysis ranks 21 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $41,426 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 39% and an average net price of $10,829.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: West Virginia University at Parkersburg — Net Price: $1,807 | Graduation Rate: 20%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: West Virginia University — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Wheeling University — Median alumni earnings: $57,949
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$40,492
Median earnings (10yr)
38%
Median graduation rate
$9,966
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Across the 21 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $40,492 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 38%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $9,966 a year, with about $18,900 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 1.3%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. University of Charleston tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $40,492 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Charleston lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,774 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,107 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
Marshall University lands at #2 with a 78/100 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, 12% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Shepherd University lands at #3 with a 76/100 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, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,363 a year. 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 #4
West Liberty University lands at #4 with a 75/100 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, 5% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Bluefield State University lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,217 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,684 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 #6
West Virginia Northern Community College lands at #6 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $30,162 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,329 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Davis & Elkins College lands at #7 with a 74/100 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, 5% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
West Virginia University lands at #8 with a 73/100 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, 35% 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 #9
Concord University lands at #9 with a 72/100 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, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,966 a year. 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 #10
Fairmont State University lands at #10 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $46,857 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,032 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 #11
West Virginia Wesleyan College lands at #11 with a 71/100 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, 25% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College lands at #12 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $32,153 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,321 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Wheeling University lands at #13 with a 69/100 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, 40% 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
Why it ranks #14
New River Community and Technical College lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $29,073 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,599 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
BridgeValley Community & Technical College lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $36,432 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,565 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
West Virginia State University lands at #16 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, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Mountwest Community and Technical College lands at #17 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $28,951 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,083 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College lands at #18 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $39,293 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,641 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Moorefield, WV · $8,095 net
Why it ranks #19
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College lands at #19 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $31,636 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Pierpont Community and Technical College lands at #20 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (27/100). Graduates earn a median $35,132 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,325 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
West Virginia University at Parkersburg lands at #21 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (23/100). Graduates earn a median $35,171 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,807 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 21 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college in West Virginia can be a pivotal decision for aspiring nurses. With 23 programs to consider, students and their families are looking for schools that align with their career goals and financial realities. One key figure to note: the average earnings for nursing graduates in this state stand at $42,688.
When evaluating these programs, it's essential to focus on the outcomes that truly matter. Key metrics such as graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings help paint a clearer picture of each school's effectiveness. The list below is organized to highlight schools that excel in these areas while also considering program concentration, giving you a well-rounded view of what West Virginia has to offer.
Take Marshall University and Fairmont State University, for instance. Both schools show solid earning potential, with Marshall graduates earning an average of $46,354 versus $46,857 at Fairmont. However, Marshall has a higher graduation rate of 50%, compared to Fairmont's 46%. This contrast illustrates how slight differences in outcomes can influence long-term success, making it crucial to weigh these factors carefully as you explore your options.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 12 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College leads the group at 2.7%, with Marshall University (1.7%) and Concord University (1.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 12.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College leads at 22.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 10.8% across this list. Marshall University posts the highest success rate at 17.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.43 against a national benchmark of 1.0. West Virginia University reaches 1.63, the highest on the list.
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
Interestingly, there's a notable difference in outcomes between Marshall University and BridgeValley Community & Technical College. Marshall boasts a graduation rate of 50% and average earnings of $46,354, while BridgeValley has a much lower graduation rate of 30% and earnings of $36,432. This disparity highlights the importance of choosing a program with a strong support system to help students succeed.
As you sift through these 23 nursing programs, consider what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing a low net price, or is a higher graduation rate more appealing? Think about location, campus culture, and how well each program aligns with your career aspirations. This data is a starting point, but your personal priorities will shape your decision.
Ultimately, this data speaks to the broader journey from education to a stable career in nursing. The right choice could mean the difference between a secure future and one filled with uncertainty. With careful consideration and a focus on the metrics that matter, families can make informed decisions that lead to lasting success.
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 Nursing Colleges in West Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia ranking? +
University of Charleston in Charleston, WV ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $55,774 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 46% 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 $41,426 average across the 21 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, West Virginia University at Parkersburg leads: graduates earn a median $35,171 against net price of about $1,807 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 39% 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 $10,829 a year across the 21 ranked schools with cost data. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is among the most affordable at roughly $1,807. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing 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 21 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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