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Morgantown , WV
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public research university located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Established in 1867, it is the state's flagship institution and one of the largest universities in West Virginia. WVU offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various fields of study.
With over 190 degree programs, WVU provides students with a diverse and comprehensive educational experience. It is renowned for its academic excellence, particularly in the fields of engineering, business, medicine, and health sciences. The university is also known for its rigorous research endeavors and has received significant funding for its groundbreaking work in energy, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.
Beyond academics, WVU boasts a vibrant campus life and fosters a sense of community among its students. The Mountaineers, WVU's athletic teams, compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and are particularly known for their successful football and basketball programs. The university also offers numerous student organizations, clubs, and events, ensuring there are ample opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and develop their leadership skills.
Overall, West Virginia University combines a strong academic foundation with a supportive and dynamic campus environment, making it an attractive choice for students seeking an exceptional education and a well-rounded college experience.
Located in Morgantown, WV and set in an urban environment, West Virginia University is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 85%. The freshman retention rate at West Virginia University is 83.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about West Virginia University.
Quick Facts
18,206
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to West Virginia University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 17,155 in 2025. West Virginia University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
55.64% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 23.39% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 3.2% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 25.52% between 1,200 and 1,399, 48.29% between 1,000 and 1,199, 21% of the students between 800 and 999, and 1.99% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 11.54, 30.41 between 24-29, 47.14 in the range between 18-23, 10.91 between 12-17, and 1 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.7. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into West Virginia University.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for West Virginia University was 83.4% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 23,643 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 53.12. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 18,206, 312 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 662 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 9,921 male and 10,812 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 1,968 full-time graduate male and 2,219 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 269 Asian students and 516 Afro-American students in 2025. 810 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,008 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 26 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 270 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $8,688. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $27,192 in 2025. Tuition costs at West Virginia University for international students amounted to $27,192. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,416.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $27,192 | $1,416 | $28,608 |
| In-State | $8,688 | $1,416 | $10,104 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $950.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at West Virginia University was $14,582 per academic year. If you only needed a room on the campus, it cost $8,490 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,920.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,688 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,582 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 950 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,220 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at West Virginia University.
The most recent records show that 2,255 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $16,730.48.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
8,284 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at West Virginia University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 8,925. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $26,559,158, and state $31,276,798. The students of West Virginia University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $54,513,136, and external in the amount of $3,401,690.
$9,041
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,384 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 355 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $26,559,158 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $15,192. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $54,623,486. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,818,056 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at West Virginia University was 19:1: that means 19 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,222 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 638 men and 584 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at West Virginia University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at West Virginia University.
Its campus spans 1,892 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
There are 467 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 7 and female students 6. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Campus Crusade for Christ, followed by Mountaineer Maniacs and WVU Greek System. Other popular organizations at West Virginia University are Alpha Phi Omega and Residential Hall Association.
Those who have a talent for music can join the West Virginia University band or chorus. For individuals with a penchant for acting, there is a drama club offering an opportunity to get involved. You have a talent for media and communication? West Virginia University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At West Virginia University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of West Virginia University.
All in all, campus life at West Virginia University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at West Virginia University.
Career Counselling
At West Virginia University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 41,770 USD.
$41,770
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, WV.
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West Virginia University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for West Virginia University is 85%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for West Virginia University is 83.4%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
