Institute, WV · Public · 1,321 undergraduates · suburban
West Virginia State University
Less selective
Its identity as both an HBCU and a land-grant university gives WVSU a distinctive mix of cultural tradition, applied research, and public outreach.
Institutional profile
Regionally focused Solid in affordability, and steady in career outcomes.- Admission
- 96.4% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 40.6%
4,465 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$40,492 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets West Virginia State University apart
Academic design
Students have access to traditional majors plus land-grant research and extension activity in agriculture, natural resources, and community development.
Campus pattern
The Institute campus is close to Charleston, giving students a smaller university setting with access to state government, health care, industry, and regional employers.
Defining feature
Its identity as both an HBCU and a land-grant university gives WVSU a distinctive mix of cultural tradition, applied research, and public outreach.
Can I get in?
96.4% admitted
Start with academic preparation, then show why this particular academic and campus environment fits you.
Recent applicant pool
4,465About 96 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 24% submitted an SAT, and 8% submitted an ACT. Treat the ACT range as a guide to the students who submitted that test, not to everyone admitted.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for West Virginia State University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What West Virginia State University weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Students have access to traditional majors plus land-grant research and extension activity in agriculture, natural resources, and community development.
Make the fit specific
Its identity as both an HBCU and a land-grant university gives WVSU a distinctive mix of cultural tradition, applied research, and public outreach.
Account for the tradeoff
Keep academic direction and school-specific choices coherent across the application.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and make the school-specific case concrete.
$20 application fee
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at West Virginia State University
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Its identity as both an HBCU and a land-grant university gives WVSU a distinctive mix of cultural tradition, applied research, and public outreach.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
What is campus life like?
West Virginia State University beyond the classroom
The Institute campus is close to Charleston, giving students a smaller university setting with access to state government, health care, industry, and regional employers.
A defining academic feature
Students have access to traditional majors plus land-grant research and extension activity in agriculture, natural resources, and community development.
What shapes an ordinary week
The Institute campus is close to Charleston, giving students a smaller university setting with access to state government, health care, industry, and regional employers.
What changes the experience
Its identity as both an HBCU and a land-grant university gives WVSU a distinctive mix of cultural tradition, applied research, and public outreach.