by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in West Virginia, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **10** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 10 graduate schools 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
West Virginia University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in West Virginia. This public school is set in Morgantown, WV. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,750. The median student debt is $23,772.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Charleston one of the top graduate schools in West Virginia. Based in Charleston, WV, University Of Charleston is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,617. Early-career graduates earn a median of $64,407. Graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at American Public University System, which ranked #3 this year. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,404. Typical student debt is $23,438.
You'll be in good company at Shepherd University, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Shepherdstown, WV. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,748. The median student debt is $23,326.
Out of the 10 graduate schools in West Virginia in this year's ranking, Marshall University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Huntington, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,250.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #6 among the best graduate schools in West Virginia. Located in Buckhannon, WV, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,090. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,784. West Virginia Wesleyan College students take on a median of $26,857 in debt.
Fairmont State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Fairmont, WV, Fairmont State University is a public institution. Fairmont State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,920. Graduates carry a median of $26,447 in student loans.
West Liberty University placed #8 among the best graduate schools in West Virginia. West Liberty University is a public school based in West Liberty, WV. West Liberty University graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,893, while out-of-state students pay about $17,442. Median early-career earnings reach $48,761. Typical student debt is $27,144.
Wheeling Jesuit University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Wheeling, WV, Wheeling Jesuit University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,875. Median early-career earnings reach $38,212. Typical student debt is $27,000.
Bethany College West Virginia placed #10 among the best graduate schools in West Virginia. Set in Bethany, WV, Bethany College West Virginia is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethany College West Virginia graduates 47% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,102. Early-career graduates earn a median of $25,963. Bethany College West Virginia students take on a median of $28,498 in debt.
Bluefield State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Bluefield, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,648, compared with $18,376 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $46,103. Graduates carry a median of $24,791 in student loans.
Concord University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Concord University is a public school based in Athens, WV. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, while out-of-state students pay about $22,000. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $36,250. Concord University students take on a median of $20,214 in debt.
West Virginia State University placed #13 among the best graduate schools in West Virginia. Located in Institute, WV, West Virginia State University is a public institution. West Virginia State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,570, compared with $14,990 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $37,970. The median student debt is $28,452.
Salem International University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Salem, WV. Salem International University posts a six-year graduation rate of 17%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,070. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,133. Graduates carry a median of $28,797 in student loans.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Graduate schools 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.