
Academic Colleges
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Business and Social Sciences
- College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- College of Professional Studies
Undergraduate Degrees
- Art
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Education (Elementary and Secondary)
- Engineering
- English
- Health Science
- History
- International Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Mathematics
- Music Performance
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Regents Bachelor of Arts
- Social Work
- Sports Studies
Graduate Degrees
- Biotechnology
- Instructional Leadership
- Media Studies
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Public Administration
- Sports Studies
- Computer Science
Doctorate Degree
- Leadership Studies (Ed.D.)
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 “living 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 2023:Â 3,635
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Research Funding: $17M Annually
Programs Offered 2023-2024 Academic Year:
- 73 Academic ProgramsÂ
- 23 Bacccalaureate Degree Programs
- 7 Master’s Degree Programs
- 1 Doctoral Degree Program
- 9 Fully Onine Programs
Tuition 2023-2024 Academic Year (full year):
Â
Full-time Undergraduate | Full-time Graduate | ||
In-State | $8,924 | In-State | $9,443 |
Out-of-State | $14,544 | Out-of-State | $20,972 |
Financial Aid:Â 78% financial aid participation rate
Undergraduate Student Profile (2022-2023)
- Female 58%
- In-State 93%
- Adult (25+) 9%
- Minority 14%
- Part-time 66%
- Transfer 6%
- International 1%
Retention: and GraduationÂ
- Fall to fall FTF retention rate is 61% (2022 cohort)
- 4-year graduation rate is 24% (2017 cohort)
- 6-year graduation rate is 35% (2017 cohort)
Reference: WV HEPC Almanac 2023
Alumni: 69% 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:Â Â Career Services, May 2022 graduation cohort
Workforce Outcomes (2018 Graduates)
- 74% Working in West Virginia two years after graduation
- 67% Working in West Virginia four years after graduation
- Median wages bachelor’s degree $36,879 two years after graduation and $42,333 four years after graduation
- Median wages master’s degree $53,593 two years after graduation and $53,880 four years after graduation
Reference: WV HEPC Almanac 2023
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, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track & field
- Women’s Sports: acrobatics & tumbling, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball
- 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