2027 Best Value Education Schools in West Virginia

[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in West Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
West Virginia University At Parkersburg tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in West Virginia. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Education graduates carry a median of $11,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $35,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,886. Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $46,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Fairmont State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,760. Education graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,050. Education graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,050 median debt.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Education graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $62,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concord University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,664, with out-of-state students paying around $22,000. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,209. Early-career education graduates make about $42,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Early-career education graduates make about $46,549. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Carver Career Center ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Charleston, Carver Career Center is a small public institution. Early-career education graduates make about $27,517.
West Virginia State University landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,570, while out-of-state students pay about $14,990. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,932. Education graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $48,647 early in their careers. Set against $26,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Salem International University earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Salem, Salem International University is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,070 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,125. Education graduates of Salem International University earn a median of $61,872 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluefield State College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,648, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,791. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bluefield State College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bluefield State College admits about 97% of applicants.
Glenville State College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Glenville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $11,354. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Glenville State College generally make around $32,699. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt.
West Liberty University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,893 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. Students borrow a median of $26,139 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,966. That is a strong return on a $26,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,159. Early-career education graduates make about $40,472. Set against $25,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bethany College West Virginia came in at #15 for value in education this year. Bethany College West Virginia is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bethany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,102. Education graduates carry a median of $28,498 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $25,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.