University of Charleston
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
University of Charleston is a private nonprofit institution located in Charleston, West Virginia with approximately 2,259 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Charleston has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 62%. The average net price after financial aid is $22,107 per year. The graduation rate is 46%, and the typical graduate earns $46,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of Charleston (UC) is a private university in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1888, it also has a satellite campus in Beckley, West Virginia. The university enrolled approximately 3,000 students as of fall 2024.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 46% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention suggest that many students don't finish, which is a real concern worth asking about before enrolling. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $12,666, and the net price of $22,012/year is manageable for a private school. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small campus in Charleston and have a clear plan for a specific program like pharmacy or business, but come with eyes open about the completion rate.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 4% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
University of Charleston graduates earn most above the national rate in Biology, General ($63,958 vs $57,214 nationally), and most below it in Political Science and Government ($43,601 vs $63,293).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 352 | $74,791 | $68,257 | +$6,534 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 58 | $83,847 | $88,910 | −$5,063 |
| Biology, General | 19 | $63,958 | $57,214 | +$6,744 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 12 | $71,104 | $76,194 | −$5,090 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 10 | $64,571 | $70,786 | −$6,215 |
| Political Science and Government | 9 | $43,601 | $63,293 | −$19,692 |
| Graphic Communications | 4 | $47,037 | $43,283 | +$3,754 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,259 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in West Virginia
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV · Private nonprofit
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public
Martinsburg College
Martinsburg, WV · Private for-profit
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV · Public
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
South Charleston, WV · Public
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV · Public
See How Colleges Compare
University of Charleston is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Charleston?
University of Charleston has an acceptance rate of 62%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is University of Charleston hard to get into?
University of Charleston is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 62%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does University of Charleston cost?
The average net price at University of Charleston is about $22,107 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at University of Charleston?
University of Charleston has a graduation rate of 46%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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