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West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV·Public·17,705 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 17,705 students.

86%
Accept
17,705
Students
$12,997
Net Price
61%
Grad Rate
$52,700
Earnings
10 yr
$15,500
Debt

About This School

West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia with approximately 17,705 undergraduate students enrolled. West Virginia University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 86%. The average net price after financial aid is $12,997 per year. The graduation rate is 61%, and the typical graduate earns $52,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, West Virginia University Potomac State College in Keyser, and clinical campuses for the university's medical school at the Charleston Area Medical Center and Eastern Campus in Martinsburg. WVU Extension Service provides outreach with offices in all 55 West Virginia counties.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the average net price of roughly $13,000/year and low median debt of $15,500 make this one of the more affordable paths to a degree, and the land-grant research university setting offers real breadth in programs. However, the 61% graduation rate is a genuine concern — nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish — so if you choose WVU, go in with a clear plan and use support resources early. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and drawn to a large, spirited campus in Morgantown, but students who thrive here tend to be self-directed about staying on track.

Founded
1867
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing17%
Engineering14%
Health Professions11%
Biological Sciences9%
Social Sciences7%
Communications5%
Visual & Performing Arts5%
Psychology4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Katherine JohnsonSteve HarveyDon KnottsJerry WestCheryl HinesBilly MaysJoe ManchinConchata FerrellChris SarandonAntoine FuquaHeath SlaterTaylor Kinney

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1129
Reading 75th %ile630
Math 75th %ile610

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite24

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$9,648
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,360
Avg Net Price
$12,997
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$15,500

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$23,678

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
61%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
81%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$15,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$15,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$39,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.4x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White82%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino4%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (17,705 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

West Virginia University

PO Box 6201

Morgantown, WV 26506

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

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.

Official School Resources
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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