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West Virginia University

WVU

Morgantown, West Virginia 26506

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

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Known for business — excellent value

West Virginia University is a public institution in Morgantown with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1129, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 17.7K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,939 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,997.

Established
1867
Motto
Πίστει τὴν ἀρετήν, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀρετῇ τὴν γνῶσιν
Mascot
The Mountaineer
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
NCAA's Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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86%Acceptance
1129SAT Avg
17,705Students
17:1Student:Faculty
61%Grad Rate
$55,939Earnings 10yr
$12,997Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate86.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1129

Reading & WritingMid: 570
520630
MathMid: 560
490610

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2026

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,648
Tuition (out-of-state)$27,360
Room & Board$13,876
Books & Supplies$950
Total Cost of Attendance$23,678
Average Net Price$12,997
Median Debt at Graduation$22,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$239

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,217
$30–48K$10,199
$48–75K$12,379
$75–110K$15,708
$110K+$17,130

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

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

56.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

136

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

35

Burglary

7

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

12

Motor Vehicle Theft

14

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

35

Drug Arrests

27

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (240)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

81%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
17,705
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 82%
Black 3%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 2%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.2%
Freshman Retention81.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,181
10 Years$55,939

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#222
vs 2024
Forbes
#303
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#374
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Mountaineers and

Basketball head

History & Fun Facts

  • On December 4, 1868, lawmakers renamed the college West Virginia University to represent a broader range of higher education.
  • It's built on the grounds of three former academies, the Monongalia Academy of 1814, the Morgantown Female Academy of 1831, and Woodburn Female Seminary of 1858.
  • The first campus building was constructed in 1870 as University Hall and was renamed Martin Hall in 1889 in honor of West Virginia University's first president, the Rev.
  • After a fire destroyed the Woodburn Seminary building in 1873, the centerpiece of what is now Woodburn Hall was completed in 1876, under the name New Hall.
  • The name was changed to University Building in 1878 when the College of Law was founded as the first professional school in the state of West Virginia.

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

Pittsburghpop. 300K
56 mi(97 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
158 mi(274 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
163 mi(283 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

PIT Pittsburgh61 mi
IAD Washington Dulles142 mi
CLE Cleveland158 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
New York, NY323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Hartford, CT409 mi · ~11h 49m drive
Providence, RI472 mi · ~13h 38m drive
Albany, NY384 mi · ~11h 6m drive
Syracuse, NY308 mi · ~8h 54m drive
Rochester, NY272 mi · ~7h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY232 mi · ~6h 42m drive
Philadelphia, PA255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
Pittsburgh, PA56 mi · ~1h 37m drive
Harrisburg, PA168 mi · ~4h 51m drive
Newark, NJ314 mi · ~9h 4m drive
Washington, DC164 mi · ~4h 44m drive
Baltimore, MD180 mi · ~5h 12m drive
Atlanta, GA475 mi · ~13h 43m drive
Charlotte, NC308 mi · ~8h 54m drive
Raleigh, NC276 mi · ~7h 58m drive
Miami, FL959 mi · ~27h 42m drive
Orlando, FL771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Tampa, FL820 mi · ~23h 41m drive
Nashville, TN443 mi · ~12h 48m drive
New Orleans, LA880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Richmond, VA199 mi · ~5h 45m drive
Chicago, IL430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Detroit, MI246 mi · ~7h 6m drive
Minneapolis, MN773 mi · ~22h 20m drive
St. Louis, MO553 mi · ~15h 59m drive
Kansas City, MO781 mi · ~22h 34m drive
Indianapolis, IN330 mi · ~9h 32m drive
Columbus, OH163 mi · ~4h 43m drive
Cleveland, OH158 mi · ~4h 34m drive
Milwaukee, WI475 mi · ~13h 43m drive
Dallas, TX1049 mi · ~30h 18m drive
Houston, TX1107 mi · ~31h 59m drive
Austin, TX1194 mi · ~34h 30m drive
San Antonio, TX1265 mi · ~36h 33m drive
Los Angeles, CA2135 mi · ~61h 41m drive
San Francisco, CA2272 mi · ~65h 38m drive
San Diego, CA2114 mi · ~61h 4m drive
Seattle, WA2161 mi · ~62h 26m drive
Portland, OR2185 mi · ~63h 7m drive
Denver, CO1327 mi · ~38h 20m drive
Phoenix, AZ1823 mi · ~52h 40m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1678 mi · ~48h 29m drive
Honolulu, HI4666 mi · ~134h 48m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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