West Virginia State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
West Virginia State University is a public research university in Institute, West Virginia, enrolling about 1,321 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 95.96% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $40,492 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,570
- 2024 Average Net Price: $11,139 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 95.96% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,321 91.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 39.18%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 43.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 13.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 67.1%
- Average SAT Score: 955
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,523
- Applicants (IPEDS): 4,465
- Room & Board: $13,522 annual estimate
West Virginia State University: what the data shows
Common questions about West Virginia State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is West Virginia State University?
West Virginia State University is located in Institute, WV (ZIP 25112-1000).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is West Virginia State University public or private?
West Virginia State University is a Public institution.
How much does West Virginia State University cost?
Published tuition: $9,570 in-state, $14,990 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $11,139.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,457 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,225 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,703 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,798 |
| $110,001+ | $17,355 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $38,280.
How hard is it to get into West Virginia State University?
Admission rate: 95.96%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 955.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is West Virginia State University?
Total enrollment: 1,321 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,523 students.
Graduate enrollment: 136 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia State University?
150%-time completion rate: 39.18%.
First-year retention: 56.7%.
What do graduates of West Virginia State University earn?
Median earnings: $32,849 six years after entry; $40,492 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,338.
20.14% of students receive Pell grants.
What is West Virginia State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (50 completions)
- General Studies (37 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (34 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (29 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (19 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (19 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (17 completions)
- Social Work (16 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (11 completions)
- Psychology, General (11 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is West Virginia State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 95.96%; completion rate 39.18%; median earnings $40,492 at 10 years; net price $11,139. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,570
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at West Virginia State University was $9,570.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$11,139
2024 Value
In 2024 West Virginia State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,139.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$44,556 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$11,139 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$38,280 4-Year In-State Tuition
$59,960 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$13,522 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,206 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,298 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$97,192 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for West Virginia State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
20.14% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
17.94% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at West Virginia State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for West Virginia State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,932 | $13,864 | $8,595 |
| 2014 | $6,228 | $14,558 | $7,176 |
| 2015 | $6,662 | $15,572 | $7,113 |
| 2016 | $6,996 | $15,572 | $9,285 |
| 2017 | $7,546 | $16,550 | $8,976 |
| 2018 | $8,212 | $17,666 | $13,904 |
| 2019 | $8,237 | $17,691 | $14,408 |
| 2020 | $8,437 | $14,125 | $16,118 |
| 2021 | $8,437 | $14,125 | $16,261 |
| 2022 | $8,647 | $14,385 | $11,791 |
| 2023 | $9,049 | $14,623 | $10,191 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
95.96% Acceptance Rate
4,465 Total Applicants
4,303 Students Admitted
322 First-Time Students Enrolled
7.48% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 955
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
West Virginia State University reported total enrollment of about 1,321 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (61.7%), Black or African American (19.8%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (5.5%). About 20.14% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 43.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at West Virginia State University in 2024 is 1,321 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,523 students. Graduate enrollment is about 136 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
56.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 61.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
30.41% 100% Completion Time
39.18% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 30.41% of students graduating from West Virginia State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 44% male / 56% female
- General Studies: 32% male / 68% female
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 41% male / 59% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for West Virginia State University.
Return on Investment
$23,338 Median Student Debt
$40,492 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
57.64% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
808.79% Return on Investment
5.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for West Virginia State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 50 completions
2. General Studies: 37 completions
3. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 34 completions
4. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 29 completions
5. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 19 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 19 completions
7. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 17 completions
8. Social Work: 16 completions
9. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 11 completions
Most popular programs at West Virginia State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for West Virginia State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for West Virginia State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 67.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,141
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $4,417
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
West Virginia State University is a public institution located in Institute, WV, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, General Studies, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. Enrollment is approximately 1,321 students. Student body composition includes White (61.7%), Black or African American (19.8%), Race/ethnicity unknown (5.5%). The admission rate is 95.96%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 955. The 150%-time completion rate is 39.18%. Approximately 20.14% of students receive Pell Grants. About 43.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Institute, WV 25112-1000
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 39.18% graduation rate at West Virginia State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is West Virginia State University located?
West Virginia State University is located in Institute, WV.
What is West Virginia State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at West Virginia State University is 96.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,465 applicants and 4,303 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does West Virginia State University cost?
Reported tuition is $9,570 and average net price is $11,139 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,522 annually.
What is the student body demographics at West Virginia State University?
West Virginia State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,523 students, White (61.7%), Black or African American (19.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend West Virginia State University?
About 43.4% of students at West Virginia State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for West Virginia State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, West Virginia State University reports midpoint SAT about 955.
What do graduates of West Virginia State University earn?
Median earnings are $32,849 six years after entry and $40,492 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 39.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do West Virginia State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,338.
Is West Virginia State University public or private?
West Virginia State University is a public institution located in Institute, WV.
Is West Virginia State University an HBCU?
Yes. West Virginia State University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is West Virginia State University a tribal college?
No. West Virginia State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- West Virginia college costs
- West Virginia colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in West Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.