West Virginia needs nurses across its rural communities, and its universities offer some of the most affordable BSN routes in the eastern United States. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine caring for patients in a hospital nestled in the Appalachian hills, where many of them have known your family for years, and where your skills are needed every single day. West Virginia nursing is close to the community in a way few places are.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in West Virginia that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
West Virginia nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University | Morgantown | Public | 66% | 179 | $77,785 | $10,752 |
| 2 | Fairmont State University | Fairmont | Public | 55% | 51 | $77,475 | $8,708 |
| 3 | Marshall University | Huntington | Public | 53% | 120 | $72,942 | $9,388 |
| 4 | West Liberty University | West Liberty | Public | 52% | 32 | $76,242 | $8,890 |
| 5 | Shepherd University | Shepherdstown | Public | 50% | 68 | $82,431 | $9,404 |
| 6 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon | Private nonprofit | 50% | 23 | $74,268 | $34,416 |
| 7 | University of Charleston | Charleston | Private nonprofit | 47% | 59 | $80,024 | $33,990 |
| 8 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Parkersburg | Public | 34% | 29 | $95,316 | $4,612 |
Also offering a BSN in West Virginia (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System | Charles Town | Private for-profit | 60% | 105 | $86,573 | $8,400 |
Top West Virginia nursing schools reviewed
1. West Virginia University
West Virginia University in Morgantown is the state’s flagship public university, with the highest graduation rate on our West Virginia list and the largest BSN programme. Students train alongside WVU Medicine, the state’s largest health system.
- Graduation rate: 66%, number 1 in West Virginia on our list
- Programme size: about 179 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, the largest BSN programme in West Virginia
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $77,785 one year after graduating
- Cost: $10,752 in-state tuition ($30,432 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 89%
2. Fairmont State University
Fairmont State University in Fairmont is a public university in north-central West Virginia with an affordable nursing programme focused on regional workforce needs.
- Graduation rate: 55%, number 2 in West Virginia on our list
- Programme size: about 51 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $77,475 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,708 in-state tuition ($13,064 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 99%
3. Marshall University
Marshall University in Huntington is a public university in the west of the state, with a nursing programme linked to hospitals in the Tri-State area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
- Graduation rate: 53%, number 3 in West Virginia on our list
- Programme size: about 120 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $72,942 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,388 in-state tuition ($20,390 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 96%
4. West Liberty University
West Liberty University, in the northern panhandle, is a public university with a smaller nursing programme and a close-knit campus.
- Graduation rate: 52%, number 4 in West Virginia on our list
- Programme size: about 32 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,242 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,890 in-state tuition ($17,442 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 97%
5. Shepherd University
Shepherd University in Shepherdstown is a public university in the eastern panhandle, near Maryland and Virginia, and its nursing graduates report strong early earnings.
- Graduation rate: 50%, number 5 in West Virginia on our list
- Programme size: about 68 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $82,431 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,404 in-state tuition ($19,706 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 97%
Studying nursing in West Virginia: what to know
West Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Registered nurses are licensed by the West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses, while practical nurses have a separate board. Tuition at public universities is relatively low, and many rural hospitals offer support or loan repayment for nurses who commit to working locally.
Ways to become a registered nurse in West Virginia
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses. West Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in West Virginia offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 9 colleges in West Virginia produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 666 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which West Virginia nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
West Virginia University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 66%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in West Virginia?
West Virginia University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 179 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in West Virginia?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $72,942 to $95,316, with a typical (median) figure of about $77,785. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in West Virginia?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $4,612 to $10,752 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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