West Virginia University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, with about 17,385 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 89.00% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $55,939 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,104
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,634 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 89.00% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 17,385 96.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 64.66%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 30.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 5.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 74.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1122
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,500
- Applicants (IPEDS): 19,857
- Room & Board: $14,582 annual estimate
West Virginia University: what the data shows
Common questions about West Virginia University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is West Virginia University?
West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, WV (ZIP 26506).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is West Virginia University public or private?
West Virginia University is a Public institution.
How much does West Virginia University cost?
Published tuition: $10,104 in-state, $28,608 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $15,634.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,450 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,501 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,179 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,710 |
| $110,001+ | $20,273 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $40,416.
How hard is it to get into West Virginia University?
Admission rate: 89.00%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1122 and midpoint ACT 24.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is West Virginia University?
Total enrollment: 17,385 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 19,500 students.
Graduate enrollment: 5,437 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia University?
150%-time completion rate: 64.66%.
First-year retention: 83.4%.
What do graduates of West Virginia University earn?
Median earnings: $45,181 six years after entry; $55,939 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,500.
21.57% of students receive Pell grants.
What is West Virginia University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business/Commerce, General (236 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (209 completions)
- Psychology, General (170 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (168 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (168 completions)
- Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (163 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (162 completions)
- Journalism (156 completions)
- Communication Management and Strategic Communications (154 completions)
- 00.0300 (153 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is West Virginia University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 89.00%; completion rate 64.66%; median earnings $55,939 at 10 years; net price $15,634. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,104
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at West Virginia University was $10,104.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,634
2024 Value
In 2024 West Virginia University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,634.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$62,536 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,634 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$40,416 4-Year In-State Tuition
$114,432 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$14,582 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$950 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$25,636 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$102,544 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for West Virginia University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.57% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
44.68% 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 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 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 | $6,456 | $19,632 | $10,449 |
| 2014 | $6,960 | $20,242 | $10,305 |
| 2015 | $7,632 | $21,432 | $11,206 |
| 2016 | $7,992 | $22,488 | $10,997 |
| 2017 | $8,376 | $23,616 | $11,825 |
| 2018 | $8,856 | $24,950 | $12,539 |
| 2019 | $8,976 | $25,320 | $12,983 |
| 2020 | $8,976 | $25,320 | $13,355 |
| 2021 | $8,976 | $25,320 | $13,380 |
| 2022 | $9,360 | $26,568 | $12,347 |
| 2023 | $9,648 | $27,360 | $12,997 |
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
89.00% Acceptance Rate
19,857 Total Applicants
17,129 Students Admitted
4,377 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.55% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1122
ACT Average: 24
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 University reported total enrollment of about 17,385 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (81.9%), Two or More Races (5.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.7%). About 21.57% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at West Virginia University in 2024 is 17,385 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 19,500 students. Graduate enrollment is about 5,437 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
83.4%
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 81.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
48.40% 100% Completion Time
64.66% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 48.40% of students graduating from West Virginia University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 68% male / 32% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 13% male / 87% female
- Psychology, General: 16% male / 84% 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 University.
Return on Investment
$22,500 Median Student Debt
$55,939 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
40.22% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
794.51% Return on Investment
4.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for West Virginia University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 169 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business/Commerce, General: 236 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 209 completions
3. Psychology, General: 170 completions
4. Mechanical Engineering: 168 completions
5. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 168 completions
6. Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology: 163 completions
7. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 162 completions
8. Journalism: 156 completions
9. Communication Management and Strategic Communications: 154 completions
Most popular programs at West Virginia University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for West Virginia University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for West Virginia University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,832
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,615
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 University is a public institution located in Morgantown, WV, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business/Commerce, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 17,385 students. Student body composition includes White (81.9%), Two or More Races (5.8%), Hispanic or Latino (4.7%). The admission rate is 89.00%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1122. The 150%-time completion rate is 64.66%. Approximately 21.57% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Morgantown, WV 26506
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 169 distinct degree programs, West Virginia University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is West Virginia University located?
West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, WV.
What is West Virginia University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at West Virginia University is 89.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 19,857 applicants and 17,129 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does West Virginia University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,104 and average net price is $15,634 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,582 annually.
What is the student body demographics at West Virginia University?
West Virginia University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 19,500 students, White (81.9%), Two or More Races (5.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend West Virginia University?
About 30.4% of students at West Virginia University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for West Virginia University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, West Virginia University reports midpoint SAT about 1122 and midpoint ACT about 24.
What do graduates of West Virginia University earn?
Median earnings are $45,181 six years after entry and $55,939 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 64.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do West Virginia University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,500.
Is West Virginia University public or private?
West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, WV.
Is West Virginia University an HBCU?
No. West Virginia University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is West Virginia University a tribal college?
No. West Virginia 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 profile
- West Virginia college costs
- West Virginia colleges by ROI
- West Virginia University vs Marshall University vs Fairmont State University
- Morgantown, West Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in West Virginia
- West Virginia college costs
- West Virginia colleges by ROI
- West Virginia University vs Marshall University vs Fairmont State University
- Morgantown, West Virginia city profile
- 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.