From a storied, historic past, to a dynamic present, West Virginia State University (WVSU) contiunes its legacy of preeminent distinction as a historically black college/ university (HBCU), 1890 land-grant research institution, that has evolved into a fully-accessible, diverse and inclusive masters degree granting institution. Consistent with its tradition, West Virginia State enrolls a wide range of students and assists them in achieving their academic, civic, and career potential through quality academic programs in an environment nationally heralded as a "l
iving laboratory of human relations". West Virginia State University is the largest institution of higher education in the Charleston metropolitan area and offers a wide range of academic and experiential opportunities.
Founded 1891: Originally founded as the West Virginia Colored Institute, West Virginia State University was designated by the United States Congress as one of the original 1890 land-grant schools under the Second Morrill Act.
Name Changes:
- 1915, West Virginia Collegiate Institute
- 1929, West Virginia State College
- 2004, West Virginia State University
University Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Enrollment Fall 2019: 4,337
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Research Funding: $17M Annually
Programs Offered 2019-2020 Academic Year:
- 72 Academic Programs
- 23 Bacccalaureate Degree Programs
- 7 Master's Degree Programs
- 7 Fully Onine Programs
Tuition 2020-2021 Academic Year (per semester):
| Full-time Undergraduate |
|
Full-time Graduate |
|
| In-State |
$3,956 |
In-State |
$4,112 |
| Out-of-State |
$6,800 |
Out-of-State |
$9,515 |
| |
|
|
|
Financial Aid: 90% eligible for financial assistance
Undergraduate Student Profile (2020-2021)
- Female 58%
- In-State 89%
- Adult (25+) 11%
- Minority 14%
- Part-time 63%
- Transfer 5%
- International 5%
Reference: WV HEPC Almanac 2021
Retention: Retention rates are 60% for full-time FTF fall to fall
- 4-year graduation rate is 16% (2015 cohort)
- 6-year graduation rate is 31% (2015 cohort)
Reference:
Enrollment Management, Fall 2021
Alumni: 87% of alumni, within six months of graduation, are employed full-time, attend graduate/professional school full-time, or serve in the military full-time.
Reference:
Career Services, May 2020 graduation cohort
Workforce Outcomes (2016 Graduates)
- 75% Working in West Virginia two years after graduation
- 70% Working in West Virginia four years after graduation
- Median wages bachelor's degree $33,091 two years after graduation and $40,662 four years after graduation
- Mediag wages master's degree $35,880 two years after graduation and $44,459 four years after graduation
Reference: WV HEPC Almanac 2021
Land-Grant: An 1890 Land-Grant Institution
- One of only 19 land-grant universities designated by the Second Morrill Act in 1890
- One of only two land-grant institutions in West Virginia
- Land-Grant Extension services aid more than +20,000 West Virginians in 38 counties throughout West Virginia
Athletics
- National Affiliation: NCAA Division II
- Conference Affiliation: Mountain East Athletic Conference
- Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf and tennis
- Women’s Sports: basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball and soccer
- Spirit Groups: Cheerleading, Dance Team
- Athletic Colors: Old Gold and Black
- Mascot: Yellow Jacket named Stinger
Campus
- Located in Institute, W.Va., approximately 8 miles from Charleston
- Approximately 123-acre campus, 864,287 square-feet of floor space
- Centrally located within one of West Virginia’s largest population centers