West Virginia State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 1,328 students.
About This School
West Virginia State University is a public institution located in Institute, West Virginia with approximately 1,328 undergraduate students enrolled. West Virginia State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $10,191 per year. The graduation rate is 34%, and the typical graduate earns $33,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a public historically black, land-grant university in Institute, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute. It is one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890, which evolved as a diverse and inclusive campus. Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, WVSU's student body was 75% white and only 8% African-American.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: while the average net price of just over $10,000 a year and a near-open admissions policy make this accessible, a 34% graduation rate and 63% freshman retention rate suggest a significant number of students struggle to finish — and that's worth taking seriously. Median earnings of $33,800 a decade out are modest, though the relatively low debt at graduation ($15,250) softens that concern somewhat. Worth considering if you need an affordable, welcoming starting point and have a clear plan for staying on track, but come in with eyes open about the completion challenges.
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
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
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 (1,328 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Shepherd University
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University of Charleston
Charleston, WV · Private nonprofit
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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