The Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia That Actually Graduate Their Students
West Liberty University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in West Virginia, graduating 61% of students within six years at $7,080 in-state tuition. This ranking covers West Virginia’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Liberty University | West Liberty | 61% | $7,080 | $8,280 | 7 |
| 2 | West Virginia University | Morgantown | 61% | $10,602 | $27,450 | 23 |
| 3 | Marshall University | Huntington | 49% | $8,934 | $21,486 | N/A |
| 4 | Shepherd University | Shepherdstown | 49% | $9,000 | $12,906 | 21 |
| 5 | Fairmont State University | Fairmont | 48% | $9,460 | $20,252 | 20 |
| 6 | Glenville State University | Glenville | 41% | $8,440 | $8,440 | N/A |
| 7 | Concord University | Athens | 42% | $9,882 | $16,704 | 19 |
| 8 | Bluefield State University | Bluefield | 37% | $9,840 | $17,030 | 20 |
| 9 | West Virginia State University | Institute | 34% | $9,743 | $20,649 | 19 |
1. West Liberty University
West Liberty, West Virginia
West Liberty University graduates 61% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,080 per year. Out-of-state students pay $8,280. Median ACT: 7. https://www.westliberty.edu/
2. West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
West Virginia University graduates 61% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,602 per year. Out-of-state students pay $27,450. Median ACT: 23. https://www.wvu.edu/
3. Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
Marshall University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,934 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,486. https://www.marshall.edu/
4. Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Shepherd University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,000 per year. Out-of-state students pay $12,906. Median ACT: 21. https://www.shepherd.edu/
5. Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont State University graduates 48% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,460 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,252. Median ACT: 20. https://www.fairmontstate.edu/
6. Glenville State University
Glenville, West Virginia
Glenville State University graduates 41% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,440 per year. Out-of-state students pay $8,440. Open admissions policy — no test scores required. https://www.glenville.edu/
7. Concord University
Athens, West Virginia
Concord University graduates 42% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,882 per year. Out-of-state students pay $16,704. Median ACT: 19. https://www.concord.edu/
8. Bluefield State University
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield State University graduates 37% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,840 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,030. Median ACT: 20. Historically Black College or University (HBCU). https://bluefieldstate.edu/
9. West Virginia State University
Institute, West Virginia
West Virginia State University graduates 34% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,743 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,649. Median ACT: 19. Historically Black College or University (HBCU). https://www.wvstateu.edu/
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in West Virginia by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 13 qualifying public institutions in West Virginia.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
