2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in West Virginia
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is West Virginia University At Parkersburg, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in West Virginia. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,084. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $33,159 early in their careers. Set against $15,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,800, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bridgevalley Community And Technical College generally make around $23,902. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,248. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,872. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
New River Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,646. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,187 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountwest Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington, Mountwest Community And Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,938, while out-of-state students pay about $12,304. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,753. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,722. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College generally make around $28,134. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Pierpont Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Pierpont Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,762, with out-of-state students paying around $13,660. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,366 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pierpont Community And Technical College generally make around $43,759. That is a strong return on a $18,366 median debt.
West Virginia Northern Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,706 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,698. Students borrow a median of $14,369 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of West Virginia Northern Community College earn a median of $22,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,195. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,195 median debt.
Fairmont State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $30,939. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $33,815 early in their careers. Set against $30,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Virginia University Institute Of Technology generally make around $34,883. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $24,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Concord University placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,664, while out-of-state students pay about $22,000. Students borrow a median of $24,326 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,499. That is a strong return on a $24,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Virginia State University came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,570, compared with $14,990 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Virginia State University generally make around $41,319. Set against $31,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Logan, Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Median earnings reach $32,153 ten years out.
Shepherd University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $33,587 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Bluefield State College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,648, compared with $18,376 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,655 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,677. Set against $28,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Glenville State College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $11,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,647. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Glenville State College generally make around $25,428. Set against $24,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Liberty University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. West Liberty University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. Students from in state pay about $8,893 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,442. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,379. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $24,874. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
