West Virginia · Institute
West Virginia State University
Founded in 1891, West Virginia State is a public 1890 land-grant HBCU in Institute, West Virginia.
Snapshot
At a glance
Undergraduate enrollment
1,321
Admission rate
96%
Retention (first-year)
57%
Completion (150% of time)
39%
Pell recipients
20%
Black undergraduate share
20%
These figures come from federal college data updated May 26, 2026. A dash means the number was not available.
Student body
Undergraduate composition
Black
20%
Hispanic
3%
White
62%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
Nonresident
5%
Unknown
5%
Percentages may not add to 100% when a category is not reported.
Costs
Tuition and financial aid
Tuition, in-state
$9,570
Tuition, out-of-state
$14,990
Median federal loan debt
$15,250
Federal loan recipients
18%
Pell recipients
20%
Sticker tuition only. Real cost after federal, state, and institutional aid is typically lower — see the school’s net price calculator.
Outcomes
Earnings, retention, and completion
Median earnings, 6 years
$32,849
Median earnings, 10 years
$40,492
Median debt
$15,250
Retention
57%
Completion
39%
Earnings and debt are shown only when federal data is available.
Institution
Campus and classification
Accreditor
Higher Learning Commission
Campus setting
Suburb: midsize
Carnegie basic
Master's colleges and universities: smaller programs
Undergraduate profile
Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
Size and setting
Small four-year, primarily nonresidential
Average faculty salary
$7,141 monthly
Full-time faculty share
67%
DOE unit ID
237899
These labels describe the school’s size, location, and academic mix. They are not rankings.
Test scores
SAT and ACT
SAT (average)
955
ACT composite (25th–75th)
15–20
Middle 50% of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores. Many HBCUs are test-optional or test-flexible; confirm the current policy at admissions.
34 programs
Academic programs
Undergraduate certificate · 1
- Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor · 25
- Accounting and Related Services
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Chemistry
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Economics
- Engineering, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- History
- International/Globalization Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Mathematics
- Music
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
- Political Science and Government
- Psychology, General
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Post-baccalaureate certificate · 1
- Accounting and Related Services
Master · 7
- Biotechnology
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Public Administration
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
This is a broad program list. Check the school’s own catalog for current majors, minors, concentrations, and course details.