Best Colleges in West Virginia (2026)
Updated
Best Colleges in West Virginia ranks 13 four-year institutions in West Virginia on Azimuth's composite score. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for West Virginia, highest first.
The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. West Virginia University ranks 1st on this list and reports $64,952 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing. The list includes 8 public and 5 private nonprofit schools.
Marshall University posts the lowest average net price at $7,502, while West Virginia University shows the highest six-year completion rate at 65%. West Virginia University ranks 359th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $64,952 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University ranks 1st on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 65%. | |||||
| 2 | Marshall University · Huntington, WV | $54,141 | $7,502 | $4,648 | 95.7% |
| Marshall University reports median earnings of $54,141 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $7,502. | |||||
| 3 | Bluefield State University · Bluefield, WV | $61,729 | $13,684 | $11,810 | 97.2% |
| Bluefield State University admits 97% of applicants and shows median earnings of $61,729 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Fairmont State University · Fairmont, WV | $52,884 | $9,032 | $8,434 | 98.6% |
| Fairmont State University carries an average net price of $9,032 and a six-year completion rate of 44%. | |||||
| 5 | University of Charleston · Charleston, WV | $68,945 | $22,107 | $21,427 | 61.5% |
| University of Charleston, a private nonprofit university in Charleston, reports median earnings of $68,945 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Shepherd University · Shepherdstown, WV | $55,251 | $11,363 | $7,906 | 96.8% |
| Shepherd University ranks 6th on this list and admits 97% of applicants, with an average net price of $11,363. | |||||
| 7 | Concord University · Athens, WV | $45,035 | $9,966 | $8,021 | 92.6% |
| Concord University shows a six-year completion rate of 39% and an average net price of $9,966. | |||||
| 8 | West Virginia Wesleyan College · Buckhannon, WV | $55,915 | $18,083 | $12,611 | 93.3% |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College reports median earnings of $55,915 for its graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 93%. | |||||
| 9 | Bethany College · Bethany, WV | $52,582 | $18,605 | $14,315 | 58.8% |
| Bethany College carries an average net price of $18,605 and a six-year completion rate of 47%. | |||||
| 10 | West Liberty University · West Liberty, WV | $48,985 | $15,366 | $12,714 | 97.3% |
| West Liberty University admits 97% of applicants and reports median earnings of $48,985 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Davis & Elkins College · Elkins, WV | $51,173 | $18,273 | $15,999 | 94.3% |
| Davis & Elkins College ranks 11th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 39%. | |||||
| 12 | Wheeling University · Wheeling, WV | $54,632 | $20,503 | $17,739 | 63.2% |
| Wheeling University reports median earnings of $54,632 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 63%. | |||||
| 13 | West Virginia State University · Institute, WV | $44,688 | $11,139 | $9,457 | 96.0% |
| West Virginia State University ranks 13th on this list, with median earnings of $44,688 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for West Virginia, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The score draws on institution-level earnings for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after completing, alongside measures of access and net price. It does not measure fit or teaching quality. The list spans 8 public and 5 private nonprofit schools.