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West Liberty University

West Liberty, WV·Public·1,578 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,578 students.

72%
Accept
1,578
Students
$16,295
Net Price
61%
Grad Rate
$39,500
Earnings
10 yr
$16,000
Debt

About This School

West Liberty University is a public institution located in West Liberty, West Virginia with approximately 1,578 undergraduate students enrolled. West Liberty University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 72%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,295 per year. The graduation rate is 61%, and the typical graduate earns $39,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

West Liberty University (WLU) is a public university in West Liberty, West Virginia, United States. Located in the state's Northern Panhandle, it was established as an academy in 1837 and is the oldest university in West Virginia. It offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and graduate programs and had an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students in 2022.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $16,000 median debt at graduation is refreshingly low, and at roughly $16,300/year net price, it's genuinely affordable — but a 61% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful number of students struggle to finish. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, historic campus with personal attention and a specific program that fits, but go in with a plan to stay on track, because the outcomes data — $39,500 median earnings a decade out — leaves little room for extra debt or extra time.

Founded
1837
Setting
Fringe rural

Popular Programs

Health Professions28%
Business & Marketing19%
Biological Sciences10%
Education9%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Social Sciences3%
Psychology3%
Communications3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1041
Reading 75th %ile585
Math 75th %ile540

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$8,732
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,116
Avg Net Price
$16,295
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants32%
Median debt at graduation$16,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
61%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
69%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$30,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.5x

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

White83%
Black5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,578 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

West Liberty University

208 University Drive

West Liberty, WV 26074

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in West Virginia

Browse all West Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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.
Trademarks

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