West Virginia University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Morgantown, West Virginia · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-optional
- 20,148
- Applicants
- 17,155
- Admitted85%
- 4,129
- Enrolled
- 24%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access85% admittedRanked #227 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #146 (tie), Business Programs #129 (tie), Computer Science #193 (tie), Nursing #172 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by West Virginia University (see the source), read on 2026-06-15.
Is West Virginia University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places West Virginia University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
West Virginia University is a public university in Morgantown, West Virginia that admits about 85% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,634 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 64% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia. For the most recent reporting cycle, West Virginia University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 85%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1110 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,634 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for West Virginia University?
51% of enrolled students at West Virginia University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
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What does West Virginia University weight in admissions?
West Virginia University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
1- Academic GPA
Considered
1- Standardized test scores
Not Considered
16- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores West Virginia University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–26. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1110 |
| 75th percentile | 1210 |
| % submitting SAT | 55.64% |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 23.39% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • WVU admits with 2.5 GPA and either ACT/SAT (19/990 resident, 21/1060 nonresident) or other criteria without tests. Some direct-admit majors and PROMISE need scores.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on West Virginia University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 12.48% |
| Top 25% of class | 12.87% |
| Top 50% of class | 13.79% |
| % submitting class rank | % |
How much does West Virginia University actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,104 for in-state students and $28,608 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,582 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,634 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $8,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $27,192 |
| Room and board | $14,582 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,634 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 62% |
| Average need-based grant | $14,123 |
| Average merit award, no financial need1,267 first-year students received one | $10,050 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 63% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $36,010 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for West Virginia University
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from West Virginia University?
These predict outcomes at West Virginia University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at West Virginia University
The most popular undergraduate programs at West Virginia University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. Across all programs, West Virginia University confers roughly 1,415 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $80,411 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 223 | $80,411 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 200 | $56,314 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 191 | n/a |
| Mechanical Engineering | 182 | $90,443 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 167 | $66,596 |
| Criminology | 152 | $55,034 |
| Journalism | 150 | $59,325 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 150 | $50,214 |
Is West Virginia University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), West Virginia University disclosed 86 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 39 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- University of Minnesota Duluth89% acceptance · Minnesota
- University of Portland89% acceptance · Oregon
- Iowa State University89% acceptance · Iowa
- Pittsburg State University89% acceptance · Kansas
- Southern Oregon University89% acceptance · Oregon
- Northern Arizona University90% acceptance · Arizona
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins89% acceptance · Colorado
- Fort Hays State University90% acceptance · Kansas
Next steps for West Virginia University
Common questions parents ask about West Virginia University
What GPA do I need for West Virginia University?
51% of enrolled students at West Virginia University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does West Virginia University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–26.
How much does West Virginia University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at West Virginia University after grants and scholarships is $15,634 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,104 and $28,608 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is West Virginia University realistic for my child?
West Virginia University admits 85% of applicants, so 490–600 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $15,634 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at West Virginia University?
West Virginia University accepts about 85% of applicants out of roughly 20,148 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is West Virginia University test-optional?
Yes. West Virginia University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. WVU admits with 2.5 GPA and either ACT/SAT (19/990 resident, 21/1060 nonresident) or other criteria without tests. Some direct-admit majors and PROMISE need scores.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia University?
About 64% of students at West Virginia University graduate within six years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does West Virginia University look for in applicants?
West Virginia University rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is West Virginia University a public or private school, and where is it located?
West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia.
What are the most popular majors at West Virginia University?
The largest undergraduate majors at West Virginia University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. The school awards about 1,415 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is West Virginia University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
West Virginia University reported 86 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by West Virginia University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers