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Wheeling University

Wheeling, WV·Private nonprofit·589 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; freshman retention is below 65%. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

63%
Accept
589
Students
$20,503
Net Price
23%
Grad Rate
$49,600
Earnings
10 yr
$25,125
Debt

About This School

Wheeling University is a private nonprofit institution located in Wheeling, West Virginia with approximately 589 undergraduate students enrolled. Wheeling University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 63%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,503 per year. The graduation rate is 23%, and the typical graduate earns $49,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Wheeling University is a private Catholic university in Wheeling, West Virginia, United States. It was founded as "Wheeling College" in 1954 by the Society of Jesus and was a Jesuit institution until 2019. Wheeling University competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the Mountain East Conference.

The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 32% graduation rate and 66% freshman retention rate suggest many students don't finish, which is a serious concern worth asking the school about directly. On the upside, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $15,375, and median earnings of $49,600 a decade out are reasonable given the modest cost. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small Catholic campus with personal attention and can get strong merit aid, but come in with a clear plan and ask hard questions about student support.

Founded
1954
Setting
Small city
Religious Affiliation
Roman Catholic
Avg Faculty Salary
$5,906

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing38%
Health Professions11%
Education9%
Psychology7%
Biological Sciences5%
Engineering3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Haywood HighsmithTimothy F. MurphyJohn Beilein

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite20

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$29,875
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,875
Avg Net Price
$20,503
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$17,739
$30–48k$19,718
$48–75k$19,913
$75–110k$22,608
$110k+$22,824

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants32%
Median debt at graduation$25,125

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
23%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
54%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$49,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,125
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$44,700
Female graduates$40,000

Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,125
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$41,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$49,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.0x

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

White49%
Black22%
Hispanic/Latino5%
Asian1%
Two or more races1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander1%
International20%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (589 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Wheeling University

316 Washington Ave

Wheeling, WV 26003

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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