West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506
About West Virginia University
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 findings
- West Virginia University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition ($10,104).
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is 6% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 64.66%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $55,939.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at West Virginia University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 795% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
West Virginia University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 169 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University | $10,104 | $15,634 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| West Virginia (state median) | $9,574 | $9,114 | 36 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is West Virginia University really?
Key findings
- West Virginia University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition ($10,104).
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is 6% above.
West Virginia University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $10,104
Finding West Virginia University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $10,104. That is about 1.8× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the West Virginia median ($9,574), sticker tuition is 6% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 15% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at West Virginia University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at West Virginia University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at West Virginia University is $15,634.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $15,634 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $6,520 above the West Virginia median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $663 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At West Virginia University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
West Virginia University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for West Virginia University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$10,104
Out-of-state tuition
$28,608
Avg. net price
$15,634
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $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. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What West Virginia University is known for
Top program completions
- Business/Commerce, General236
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse209
- Psychology, General170
- Mechanical Engineering168
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General168
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 26% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1122
- Midpoint ACT: 24
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is West Virginia University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
West Virginia University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for West Virginia University.
Campus
Location
Morgantown, WV
City / state
- ZIP
- 26506
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 4% above the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Size
Enrollment
17,385
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 19,500
- Graduate
- 5,437
- Full-time share
- 97%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$22,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 21.57%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for West Virginia University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
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.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1122 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 24 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.20
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
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
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
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
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
West Virginia University graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of West Virginia University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $55,939. Median federal loan debt: $22,500. Average net price used in cost models: $15,634.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway West Virginia University graduates report median earnings of $55,939 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for West Virginia University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (169 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at West Virginia University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for West Virginia University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for West Virginia University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$852.3M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- West Virginia median 73× the median ($11.7M)
- Southeast median 44× the median ($19.4M)
- U.S. median 32× the median ($26.4M)
- West Virginia median 3.4× the median ($9,559)
- Southeast median 3.5× the median ($9,308)
- U.S. median 2.7× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.1%
- West Virginia median 15.4 pp above median (58.7%)
- Southeast median 14.7 pp above median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 16.2 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $11,832
- West Virginia median 1.9× the median ($6,342)
- Southeast median 1.7× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 1.6× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,615
- West Virginia median 1.9× the median ($7,346)
- Southeast median 2.1× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 1.9× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
West Virginia University at a glance
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public institution in Morgantown, WV, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business/Commerce, GeneralRegistered Nursing/Registered NursePsychology, General
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian81.9%Two or More Races5.8%Hispanic or Latino4.7%
Schools near West Virginia University
Other campuses in Morgantown, WV when available, plus nearby institutions in West Virginia.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within West Virginia, then by similar ownership and admissions.
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.
What is West Virginia University's tuition?
West Virginia University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $10,104 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $15,634 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
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 explains West Virginia University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($15,634), completion (64.7% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($55,939). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
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.
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
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 Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.