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University of Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia 25304

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedHealth sciencesUrbanGreek life

Known for business

University of Charleston is a private institution in Charleston with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

46% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,774 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,012.

Established
1888
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

65%Acceptance
SAT Avg
2,083Students
15:1Student:Faculty
46%Grad Rate
$55,774Earnings 10yr
$22,012Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate64.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$32,842
Room & Board$11,162
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$44,031
Average Net Price$22,012
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,938
$30–48K$21,646
$48–75K$21,133
$75–110K$22,526
$110K+$23,451

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$12,666

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

16

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (41)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,083
Gender Split
39% / 61%
Women / Men
First Generation
43%
Pell Grant Recipients
29%

Race & Ethnicity

White 66%
Black 9%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 1%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.3%
Freshman Retention69.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,698
10 Years$55,774

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Golden Eagles

SoccerVolleyballSoccer officialSoccer championship

History & Fun Facts

  • History The school was founded in 1888 as the Barboursville Seminary of the Southern Methodist Church.
  • In 1901, it was renamed Morris Harvey College, in honor of a devoted supporter.
  • The University of Charleston from across the Kanawha River In 1935 the school moved to downtown Charleston and affiliated with the Mason College of Fine Arts and Music.
  • In 1940, it became independent of the Methodist Church.
  • In 1947, the school moved to its present campus in the Kanawha City section of Charleston across the river from the State Capitol.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

94Average

Estimated from WV state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
135 mi(234 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
169 mi(293 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
219 mi(380 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CMH Columbus134 mi
PIT Pittsburgh166 mi
CVG Cincinnati172 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA621 mi · ~17h 56m drive
New York, NY437 mi · ~12h 37m drive
Hartford, CT529 mi · ~15h 17m drive
Providence, RI590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Albany, NY509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Syracuse, NY434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
Rochester, NY394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Buffalo, NY346 mi · ~10h drive
Philadelphia, PA363 mi · ~10h 29m drive
Pittsburgh, PA169 mi · ~4h 53m drive
Harrisburg, PA286 mi · ~8h 16m drive
Newark, NJ430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Washington, DC250 mi · ~7h 13m drive
Baltimore, MD277 mi · ~8h drive
Atlanta, GA353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Charlotte, NC219 mi · ~6h 20m drive
Raleigh, NC241 mi · ~6h 58m drive
Miami, FL873 mi · ~25h 13m drive
Orlando, FL677 mi · ~19h 33m drive
Tampa, FL719 mi · ~20h 46m drive
Nashville, TN321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
New Orleans, LA754 mi · ~21h 47m drive
Richmond, VA234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Chicago, IL401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Detroit, MI286 mi · ~8h 16m drive
Minneapolis, MN755 mi · ~21h 49m drive
St. Louis, MO465 mi · ~13h 26m drive
Kansas City, MO700 mi · ~20h 13m drive
Indianapolis, IN263 mi · ~7h 36m drive
Columbus, OH135 mi · ~3h 54m drive
Cleveland, OH219 mi · ~6h 20m drive
Milwaukee, WI463 mi · ~13h 23m drive
Dallas, TX934 mi · ~26h 59m drive
Houston, TX983 mi · ~28h 24m drive
Austin, TX1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
San Antonio, TX1144 mi · ~33h 3m drive
Los Angeles, CA2050 mi · ~59h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA2202 mi · ~63h 37m drive
San Diego, CA2023 mi · ~58h 27m drive
Seattle, WA2128 mi · ~61h 29m drive
Portland, OR2144 mi · ~61h 56m drive
Denver, CO1255 mi · ~36h 15m drive
Phoenix, AZ1730 mi · ~49h 59m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1614 mi · ~46h 38m drive
Honolulu, HI4593 mi · ~132h 41m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Charleston Application Checklist

Decision Notifications