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 1,321 students.
About This School
West Virginia State University is a public institution located in Institute, West Virginia with approximately 1,321 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 $11,139 per year. The graduation rate is 39%, 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
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: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
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 (1,321 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in West Virginia
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public
Marshall University
Huntington, WV · Public
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV · Public
Martinsburg College
Martinsburg, WV · Private for-profit
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public
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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