Best Colleges in West Virginia (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in West Virginia. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In West Virginia, there are 74 colleges and universities - by school type, 40 public and 34 private schools, and by school level, 28 4 years (or high), 25 2-4 years, and 21 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, West Virginia University ranks first in the best West Virginia colleges ranking and Shepherd University and West Virginia Wesleyan College followed it. By school type, there are 6 public and 4 schools in the best West Virginia colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best West Virginia colleges 81.25% where University of Charleston has the tightest rate with 50.42%. West Virginia Wesleyan College has the highest tuition & fees with $31,944 where the average amount is $23,689 of the schools. West Virginia University has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,145 where the average SAT scores is 1,044 of the schools. The average student population is 5,790 and the average student to faculty ratio is 14.50 to 1 over the best West Virginia colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1West Virginia University 84.79

West Virginia University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Morgantown, WV with total 26,864 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,145
Acceptance Rate	81.61%
Tuition & Fees	$8,976 (in-state) / $25,320 (out-of-state)
Student Population	26,864 (21,155 Undergraduate)
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21Shepherd University 84.75

Shepherd University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Shepherdstown, WV with total 3,648 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,065
Acceptance Rate	89.46%
Tuition & Fees	$7,784 (in-state) / $18,224 (out-of-state)
Student Population	3,648 (3,380 Undergraduate)
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31West Virginia Wesleyan College 84.38

West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Buckhannon, WV with total 1,294 students.

Highest Degree	Post-master's certificate
SAT Scores	1,078
Acceptance Rate	70.17%
Tuition & Fees	$31,944
Student Population	1,294 (1,180 Undergraduate)
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4Bethany College 84.19

Bethany College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Bethany, WV with total 581 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	1,010
Acceptance Rate	90.77%
Tuition & Fees	$30,666
Student Population	581 (557 Undergraduate)
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5 West Liberty University 84.08

West Liberty University is a public, 4 or more years school located in West Liberty, WV with total 2,526 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	1,060
Acceptance Rate	69.36%
Tuition & Fees	$7,990 (in-state) / $15,930 (out-of-state)
Student Population	2,526 (2,225 Undergraduate)
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61Marshall University 83.94

Marshall University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Huntington, WV with total 13,204 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,020
Acceptance Rate	90.62%
Tuition & Fees	$8,412 (in-state) / $19,266 (out-of-state)
Student Population	13,204 (9,593 Undergraduate)
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7 Wheeling Jesuit University 83.51

Wheeling Jesuit University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Wheeling, WV with total 1,171 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,020
Acceptance Rate	86.34%
Tuition & Fees	$29,290
Student Population	1,171 (861 Undergraduate)
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8 Fairmont State University 83.49

Fairmont State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Fairmont, WV with total 3,947 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	995
Acceptance Rate	94.77%
Tuition & Fees	$7,738 (in-state) / $16,814 (out-of-state)
Student Population	3,947 (3,674 Undergraduate)
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9 Concord University 83.34

Concord University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Athens, WV with total 2,040 students.

Highest Degree	Post-master's certificate
SAT Scores	1,020
Acceptance Rate	88.98%
Tuition & Fees	$8,385 (in-state) / $18,037 (out-of-state)
Student Population	2,040 (1,729 Undergraduate)
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10 University of Charleston 83.18

University of Charleston is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Charleston, WV with total 2,623 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,025
Acceptance Rate	50.42%
Tuition & Fees	$31,400
Student Population	2,623 (1,930 Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in West Virginia (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	81.61%	$25,320 ($8,976)	$26,154 ($10,134)	1,145	26,864	18 to 1
2 1	Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV	89.46%	$18,224 ($7,784)	$11,700 ($8,550)	1,065	3,648	16 to 1
3 1	West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WV	70.17%	$31,944	$12,356	1,078	1,294	13 to 1
4	Bethany College Bethany, WV	90.77%	$30,666	$9,086	1,010	581	10 to 1
5	West Liberty University West Liberty, WV	69.36%	$15,930 ($7,990)	$8,112 ($6,300)	1,060	2,526	13 to 1
6 1	Marshall University Huntington, WV	90.62%	$19,266 ($8,412)	$21,062 ($8,728)	1,020	13,204	18 to 1
7	Wheeling Jesuit University Wheeling, WV	86.34%	$29,290	$9,710	1,020	1,171	11 to 1
8	Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV	94.77%	$16,814 ($7,738)	$18,888 ($8,922)	995	3,947	16 to 1
9	Concord University Athens, WV	88.98%	$18,037 ($8,385)	$9,158 ($8,960)	1,020	2,040	15 to 1
10	University of Charleston Charleston, WV	50.42%	$31,400	$16,984	1,025	2,623	15 to 1