by our College Data Analytics TeamWest Virginia University ranks #1 of 22 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in West Virginia ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 22 colleges average a 42% six-year graduation rate and $57,890 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in West Virginia, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **22** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 22 colleges across over 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.
West Virginia University leads the 22 ranked colleges in West Virginia, followed by University Of Charleston (#2) and Shepherd University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
West Virginia University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in West Virginia. Located in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. West Virginia University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,750. The median student debt is $23,772.
You'll be in good company at University Of Charleston, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Charleston, WV, University Of Charleston is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,617. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,407. Graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Shepherd University earned it the #3 place in West Virginia. Set in Shepherdstown, WV, Shepherd University is a public institution. Shepherd University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,748. The median student debt is $23,326.
Out of the 22 colleges in West Virginia in this year's ranking, American Public University System landed the #4 spot. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,438.
You'll be in good company at Marshall University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Huntington, WV, Marshall University is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,481. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete a degree here.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #6 spot in West Virginia this year. Located in Buckhannon, WV, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. West Virginia Wesleyan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,090. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,784. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans.
Davis And Elkins College placed #7 among the best colleges in West Virginia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elkins, WV. Davis And Elkins College posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $31,820. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,201 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,250.
Wheeling Jesuit University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Wheeling Jesuit University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wheeling, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,875. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,212. Wheeling Jesuit University students take on a median of $27,000 in debt.
Fairmont State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Fairmont, WV, Fairmont State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,920. The median student debt is $26,447.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot in West Virginia this year. Located in Beckley, WV, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a public institution. West Virginia University Institute Of Technology graduates 33% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,907. Graduates carry a median of $24,855 in student loans.
West Liberty University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. West Liberty University is a public school based in West Liberty, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,893, compared with $17,442 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,761 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $27,144.
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. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University students take on a median of $19,858 in debt.
Concord University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Athens, WV, Concord University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,664, while out-of-state students pay about $22,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,661 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $20,214.
Bethany College West Virginia landed the #14 spot in West Virginia this year. Set in Bethany, WV, Bethany College West Virginia is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,102. Bethany College West Virginia graduates report median early-career earnings of $25,963. The median student debt is $28,498.
Bluefield State College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Bluefield, WV, Bluefield State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. Students from in state pay about $10,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,103. Typical student debt is $24,791.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #16 spot in West Virginia this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a public school based in Parkersburg, WV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,400. Typical student debt is $15,595.
Glenville State College landed the #17 spot in West Virginia this year. Set in Glenville, WV, Glenville State College is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. Median early-career earnings reach $32,699. Graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans.
West Virginia State University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Institute, WV, West Virginia State University is a public institution. West Virginia State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,570, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,970 early in their careers. West Virginia State University students take on a median of $28,452 in debt.
Salem International University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Salem International University is a private for-profit school based in Salem, WV. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,070. Salem International University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,133. Typical student debt is $28,797.
Strayer University West Virginia placed #20 among the best colleges in West Virginia. Based in Scott Depot, WV, Strayer University West Virginia is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,506. Graduates carry a median of $47,631 in student loans.
Appalachian Bible College landed the #21 spot in West Virginia this year. Located in Mount Hope, WV, Appalachian Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,760. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $21,367. Graduates carry a median of $12,865 in student loans.
Valley College Martinsburg did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Martinsburg, WV, Valley College Martinsburg is a private not-for-profit institution. Valley College Martinsburg posts a six-year graduation rate of 38%. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,022 early in their careers. Valley College Martinsburg students take on a median of $14,930 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on 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.