Your Choice of School Matters
Our analysis looked at 18 schools in West Virginia to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
When attending a school in West Virginia, bachelor's degree students accumulate an average of $26,170 in student debt before graduation.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in West Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
7,005
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,190
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,856
Average Student Debt
Our 2024 rankings named American Public University System the best school in West Virginia in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,005 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from American Military University make an average of $49,190 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,856.
Learn More About American Public University System
4,540
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,957
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,997
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at West Virginia University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in West Virginia. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, the large public school handed out 4,540 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from WVU is $40,957 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,997. Average monthly loan payments are around $409 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About West Virginia University
591
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$53,603
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,047
Average Student Debt
Out of the 18 bachelor’s degree schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Charleston landed the #3 spot on the list. UC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charleston, West Virginia. It awarded 591 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UC is $53,603 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,047 in student loans.
Read full report on University of Charleston
1,541
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,857
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,889
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Marshall University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in West Virginia. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, the fairly large public school handed out 1,541 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Marshall University make an average of $35,857 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,889 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $171 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Learn More About Marshall University
85
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,080
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,500
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wheeling University. The school came in at #5 in West Virginia on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Wheeling, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $52,080 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,500.
Full Wheeling University Report
53
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,389
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,417
Average Student Debt
Potomac State College of West Virginia University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. Located in Keyser, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,389 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,417 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $355 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Learn More About Potomac State College of West Virginia University
241
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,584
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,889
Average Student Debt
West Virginia Wesleyan College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #7. Buckhannon, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 241 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,584 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,889.
Learn More About West Virginia Wesleyan College
432
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,077
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,652
Average Student Debt
West Liberty University landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. West Liberty, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 432 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from West Liberty University is $38,077 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,652. This translates to an average monthly payment of $113 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on West Liberty University
220
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,284
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,017
Average Student Debt
West Virginia University at Parkersburg did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #9. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is located in Parkersburg, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 220 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University at Parkersburg is $32,284 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $16,017 in student loans.
Read full report on West Virginia University at Parkersburg
574
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$34,817
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,937
Average Student Debt
Shepherd University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 574 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,817 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $23,937 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $293 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Shepherd University
162
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,019
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,415
Average Student Debt
Alderson Broaddus University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. Located in Philippi, West Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 162 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Alderson Broaddus University go into careers with an average salary of $37,019 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,415 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Alderson Broaddus University
359
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$26,211
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,176
Average Student Debt
Concord University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. Concord University is a public institution located in Athens, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 359 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Concord University go into careers with an average salary of $26,211 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $21,176 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Concord University
695
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,278
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,065
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #13, Fairmont State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia list. Fairmont State is located in Fairmont, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 695 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State is $35,278 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,065.
Learn More About Fairmont State University
218
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,626
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,380
Average Student Debt
West Virginia University Institute of Technology came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. West Virginia University Tech is a small public school situated in Beckley, West Virginia. It awarded 218 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,626 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,380 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $384.
Full West Virginia University Institute of Technology Report
142
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,434
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,950
Average Student Debt
Salem University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #15. This small private for-profit school is located in Salem, West Virginia, and it awarded 142 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Salem make an average of $32,434 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,950 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $165 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Full Salem University Report
153
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,607
Average Early-Career Earnings
$32,947
Average Student Debt
Bluefield State College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia list. Bluefield State College is a public institution located in Bluefield, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 153 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State College go into careers with an average salary of $32,607 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $32,947 in student loans.
Read full report on Bluefield State College
366
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$28,157
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,489
Average Student Debt
West Virginia State University landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia ranking. WVSU is located in Institute, West Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 366 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from WVSU make an average of $28,157 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,489 in student loans.
Learn More About West Virginia State University
174
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$30,366
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,341
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #18, Glenville State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in West Virginia list. Glenville State College is a small public school located in Glenville, West Virginia that handed out 174 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Glenville State College go into careers with an average salary of $30,366 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,341 in student loans.
Learn More About Glenville State College
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