2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia
It's not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for veterans. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
After analyzing 22 schools in West Virginia, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for veterans. Our ranking is based on over 20 objective factors, including the school's overall quality, the number of GI Bill® recipients at the school, and the percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another.
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best school for veterans in West Virginia in this year’s ranking. American Military University is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11,418 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, American Military University supports 50,047 students, and 17,648 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 15,614 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,733. In addition to receiving other benefits, 10 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. American Military University also made our Best Schools in West Virginia list, coming in at #1.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Virginia University. It ranked #2 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 6,577 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, WVU supports 26,269 students, and 1,014 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 411 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,328. During this same period, 62 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
WVU also made our Best Schools in West Virginia list, coming in at #2.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marshall University. The school came in at #3 in West Virginia on this year’s best for vets ranking. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, the fairly large public school handed out 2,872 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 11,958 students enrolled at Marshall University, 429 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 195 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,697. To help with additional expenses, 13 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
A rank of #4 on our Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list means University of Charleston is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. UC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Charleston, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 864 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 164 of the 2,967 students enrolled at UC were GI Bill® students, of which 141 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,709. UC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
UC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Schools in West Virginia list.
Out of the 22 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Fairmont State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Fairmont State is a public institution located in Fairmont, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 885 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 3,848 students enrolled at Fairmont State, 182 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 69 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,103. In addition to receiving other benefits, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Shepherd University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #6. Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 688 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 3,159 students enrolled at Shepherd University, 169 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 83 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,243. On top of their other funding sources, 24 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Shepherd University also did well on our Best Schools in West Virginia list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Concord University landed the #7 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Concord University is a public institution located in Athens, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 504 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 1,807 students enrolled at Concord University, 106 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,365. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 540 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, West Virginia University at Parkersburg supports 2,624 students, and 101 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 46 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,352. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 369 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Among the 3,912 students enrolled at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, 113 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 57 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,637. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #10, Bluefield State College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. This small public school is located in Bluefield, West Virginia, and it awarded 308 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 72 of the 1,243 students enrolled at Bluefield State College were GI Bill® students, of which 24 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,772. Bluefield State College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #11, Glenville State College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. Glenville State College is located in Glenville, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 351 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 1,583 students enrolled at Glenville State College, 45 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 14 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,246. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #12, Davis & Elkins College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. D&E is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elkins, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 738 students enrolled at D&E, 26 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 11 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,699. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #13, West Virginia University Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. Located in Beckley, West Virginia, the small public school handed out 165 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, West Virginia University Tech supports 1,645 students, and 71 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 37 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,964.
In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, West Virginia University Tech is ranked #4 for overall quality in West Virginia.
Read full report on West Virginia University Institute of Technology
West Liberty University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #14. West Liberty University is located in West Liberty, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 563 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the 2,481 students enrolled at West Liberty University, 49 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,179. To help with additional expenses, 1 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #15, West Virginia Wesleyan College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. West Virginia Wesleyan is located in Buckhannon, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 313 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the 1,066 students enrolled at West Virginia Wesleyan, 28 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 11 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,667. To help with additional expenses, 4 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. West Virginia Wesleyan does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Wheeling University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Wheeling University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheeling, West Virginia. It awarded 185 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 857 students enrolled at Wheeling University, 15 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 12 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,091. Wheeling University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Wheeling University not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in West Virginia list.
Salem University landed the #17 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Salem University is a small private for-profit school located in Salem, West Virginia that handed out 375 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 1,008 students enrolled at Salem, 45 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 37 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,365. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #18, West Virginia State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. Institute, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 426 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 3,638 students enrolled at WVSU, 80 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 48 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,840. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Bethany College West Virginia landed the #19 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Bethany, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 92 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 576 students enrolled at Bethany College West Virginia, 12 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 9 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,172. On top of their other funding sources, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Ohio Valley University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Vienna, West Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 84 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 273 students enrolled at Ohio Valley, 8 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 3 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,242. Ohio Valley does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Appalachian Bible College landed the #21 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia ranking. Appalachian Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Hope, West Virginia. It awarded 43 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 4 of the 225 students enrolled at Appalachian Bible College were GI Bill® students. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,119. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Alderson Broaddus University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in West Virginia list. Philippi, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 184 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Alderson Broaddus University supports 863 students, and 18 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 13 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,662. During this same period, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Best Colleges for Veterans in the Southeast Region
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Best Colleges in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 22 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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