by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in West Virginia, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **16** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 16 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found West Virginia University to be the best college in West Virginia. This public school is set in Morgantown, WV. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. West Virginia University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,750. Graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans.
University Of Charleston came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in West Virginia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Charleston, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. University Of Charleston graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,407. Typical student debt is $22,646.
Out of the 16 colleges in West Virginia in this year's ranking, Shepherd University landed the #3 spot. Based in Shepherdstown, WV, Shepherd University is a public institution. Shepherd University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,748. Graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans.
Out of the 16 colleges in West Virginia in this year's ranking, American Public University System landed the #4 spot. American Public University System is a private for-profit school based in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Marshall University one of the top colleges in West Virginia. Located in Huntington, WV, Marshall University is a public institution. Marshall University graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Median early-career earnings reach $52,481. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
Davis And Elkins College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Davis And Elkins College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elkins, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,820. Early-career graduates earn a median of $71,201. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete a degree here.
Fairmont State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Fairmont State University is a public school based in Fairmont, WV. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Median early-career earnings reach $45,920. Graduates carry a median of $26,447 in student loans.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #8 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Set in Buckhannon, WV, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,090. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,784. The median student debt is $26,857.
Wheeling Jesuit University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheeling, WV. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,875. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,212. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
West Liberty University landed the #10 spot in West Virginia this year. Based in West Liberty, WV, West Liberty University is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,893, with out-of-state students paying around $17,442. West Liberty University graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,761. West Liberty University students take on a median of $27,144 in debt.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology came in at #11 in this year's ranking. West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Beckley, WV. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $50,754. The median student debt is $24,864.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #12 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a public school based in Keyser, WV. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,670. Typical student debt is $19,858.
Concord University placed #13 among the best colleges in West Virginia. This public school is set in Athens, WV. Concord University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,250 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $20,214 in student loans.
Bethany College West Virginia placed #14 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Located in Bethany, WV, Bethany College West Virginia is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,102. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,963 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $28,498 in student loans.
Bluefield State College placed #15 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Set in Bluefield, WV, Bluefield State College is a public institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,648, with out-of-state students paying around $18,376. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,791 to complete a degree here.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Parkersburg, WV. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,400. West Virginia University At Parkersburg students take on a median of $15,595 in debt.
West Virginia State University placed #17 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Based in Institute, WV, West Virginia State University is a public institution. West Virginia State University graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,570, while out-of-state students pay about $14,990. Early-career graduates earn a median of $37,970. Typical student debt is $28,452.
Glenville State College placed #18 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Located in Glenville, WV, Glenville State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $32,699. Graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans.
Salem International University placed #19 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Based in Salem, WV, Salem International University is a private for-profit institution. About 17% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,070 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $51,133. Salem International University students take on a median of $28,797 in debt.
Strayer University West Virginia landed the #20 spot in West Virginia this year. Strayer University West Virginia is a private for-profit school based in Scott Depot, WV. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,506. The median student debt is $47,631.
Appalachian Bible College landed the #21 spot in West Virginia this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mount Hope, WV. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,760. Appalachian Bible College graduates report median early-career earnings of $21,367. Students borrow a median of $12,865 to complete a degree here.
Valley College Martinsburg ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Valley College Martinsburg is a private for-profit school based in Martinsburg, WV. Valley College Martinsburg graduates 38% of students within six years. Early-career graduates earn a median of $29,022. Students borrow a median of $14,930 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.