College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in West Virginia

18 Colleges in the United States
1,862 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$60,755 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in West Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in West Virginia.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

Our analysis ranked West Virginia University the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 209 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from West Virginia University earn around $87,415 in the first couple years of their career. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for West Virginia University

2

University Of Charleston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Charleston. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 172 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Charleston

3

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at American Public University System, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. American Public University System awarded about 133 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $95,322. Typical student debt for the program is $28,384. See the full registered nursing program report for American Public University System

4

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Bridgevalley Community And Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Bridgevalley Community And Technical College awarded about 100 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn around $67,830 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bridgevalley Community And Technical College

5
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 68 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Shepherd University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Shepherd University earn around $75,914 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,206. Get the full registered nursing details for Shepherd University

6

Fairmont State University came in at #6 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Fairmont. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 197 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fairmont State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $73,772 early in their careers. Fairmont State University graduates carry a median of $32,313 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Fairmont State University

7
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Huntington. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 247 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marshall University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Marshall University earn around $110,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Marshall University

8

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Martinsburg. About 46 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Blue Ridge Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $68,897 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,766. Get the full registered nursing details for Blue Ridge Community And Technical College

9
West Liberty University crest
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV

West Liberty University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $71,848. West Liberty University graduates carry a median of $29,408 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Liberty University

10

Bluefield State College earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 86 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bluefield State College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $64,695 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Bluefield State College

11

West Virginia Wesleyan College earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buckhannon. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 23 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $103,788. West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for West Virginia Wesleyan College

12

Davis And Elkins College came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Davis And Elkins College graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Davis And Elkins College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Davis And Elkins College earn around $71,201 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Davis And Elkins College

13

West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Parkersburg. About 81 registered nursing degrees were awarded at West Virginia University At Parkersburg in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn around $68,993 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,163. Read more about the registered nursing program at West Virginia University At Parkersburg

14

Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public university. Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College awarded about 21 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College earn a median of $28,134 early in their careers. Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College

15

West Virginia State University landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Institute. About 39% of students finish within six years. West Virginia State University awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia State University generally make around $37,970. West Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $28,452 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at West Virginia State University

16

Wheeling Jesuit University placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Wheeling, Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wheeling Jesuit University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Wheeling Jesuit University earn around $38,212 in the first couple years of their career. Wheeling Jesuit University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Wheeling Jesuit University

17

Salem International University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the rural area of Salem. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Salem International University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Salem International University earn a median of $51,133 early in their careers. Salem International University graduates carry a median of $37,874 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Salem International University

18

West Virginia Northern Community College came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Wheeling. There were roughly 30 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia Northern Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Northern Community College generally make around $63,473. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at West Virginia Northern Community College

19

Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Logan, Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public university. There were roughly 65 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Read more about the registered nursing program at Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College

20

New River Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a small public institution. There were roughly 13 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at New River Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from New River Community And Technical College generally make around $44,588. New River Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,187 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at New River Community And Technical College

21

West Virginia Junior College Morgantown ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia Junior College Morgantown is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 74 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia Junior College Morgantown in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from West Virginia Junior College Morgantown earn around $68,238 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,181. More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Virginia Junior College Morgantown

22

Valley College Martinsburg ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Valley College Martinsburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Martinsburg. Valley College Martinsburg graduates 38% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Valley College Martinsburg in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Valley College Martinsburg generally make around $29,022. Valley College Martinsburg graduates carry a median of $14,930 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Valley College Martinsburg

23

West Virginia Junior College Charleston ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. West Virginia Junior College Charleston is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cross Lanes. About 68 registered nursing degrees were awarded at West Virginia Junior College Charleston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from West Virginia Junior College Charleston generally make around $24,785. Typical student debt for the program is $10,729. See the full registered nursing program report for West Virginia Junior College Charleston

24

West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport earned the #24 position for registered nursing this year. West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Bridgeport. About 47 registered nursing degrees were awarded at West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport earn around $24,785 in the first couple years of their career. West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport

25

Valley College Beckley placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Beckley, Valley College Beckley is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 28 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Valley College Beckley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $19,046 in their early career. Valley College Beckley graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Valley College Beckley

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options