2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in West Virginia
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in West Virginia. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,084 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,159. That is a strong return on a $15,084 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn a median of $23,902 early in their careers. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Blue Ridge Community And Technical College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,500. General Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,872 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,156, compared with $9,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,187 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of New River Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Set against $8,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia Northern Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,706, compared with $12,698 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,369 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $24,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountwest Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Mountwest Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $4,938 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,304 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mountwest Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Marshall University landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,248 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,282. Set against $29,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,722. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College generally make around $28,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,136, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,153 ten years after entry.
American Public University System placed #11 among the best values for general studies. 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. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,195. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairmont State University came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $30,939. General Studies graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $33,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Pierpont Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Pierpont Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,762, with out-of-state students paying around $13,660. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,366. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,759. That is a strong return on a $18,366 median debt.
Concord University landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,326 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,499. That is a strong return on a $24,326 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia State University came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. Students from in state pay about $9,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $31,125. General Studies graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $41,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $33,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bluefield State College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Bluefield State College is a small public school located in the town of Bluefield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,648, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,655. General Studies graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $25,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia University placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,874. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Glenville State College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,647. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Glenville State College generally make around $25,428. Set against $24,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
