According to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, higher education leaders in the state intend to double the number of degree holders by 2030. They're targeting students just graduating high school as well as professionals considering an advanced degree, which has led the state to invest more in online learning. Currently, West Virginia educational institutions provide coursework to over 150,000 students each year, and more than 82,000 of those students rely on online courses. Over 62,000 of those students take all their coursework online.
As distance learning enrollment continues to increase, the state strives to provide additional resources, including the West Virginia Online Collaborative Knowledge System and Electronic Campus, which collaborate with local colleges and universities to direct students to the right programs. As a member of the Southern Regional Education Board, West Virginia distance learners now have access to the new nationwide site, which connects students with distance learning programs that meet their needs.
This guide includes pertinent information about higher education in West Virginia, ways for students to save money on their education, and current trends in West Virginia's job market.
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Overview of Online Colleges in West Virginia
An Overview of Higher Education in West Virginia
West Virginia higher education options continue to increase. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), West Virginia had 44 higher education institutions during the 2015-2016 academic year, which means students now have one more institution to choose from since the last report. This total includes 22 public institutions, nine nonprofit schools, and 13 for-profit schools. NCES data also reveals that in 2016 there were 19,841,014 students enrolled at degree-granting postsecondary institutions across the U.S. Of this number, 146,358 belonged to West Virginia institutions.[dataviz-stats public="22" non-profit="9" for-profit="13"]Students pursuing education should also consider average tuition costs, which can vary if students enroll as residents or out-of-state students. The 2018-2019 school year data provided by CollegeBoard reveals that four-year West Virginia programs hover around $8,290 per year for residents, while out-of-state students will pay just over $20,000 per year. However, students considering West Virginia University, the state's flagship school, should anticipate higher costs. According to CollegeBoard data, residents pay $17,663, while out-of-state students pay $24,950 per year.Multiple funding options exist; for the 2015-2016 academic year, West Virginia provided $140,151,787 in financial aid. The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs indicates that $42,252,734 went to need-based grants or grants with a need-based component. Additionally, a staggering $57,894,661 funded grants that did not include any financial hardship need. West Virginia also allocated $40,004,392 toward non-grant programs.
Higher Education in West Virginia
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in West Virginia
Online learning platforms in West Virginia continue to expand. According to the 2015 Online Learning Survey data, 23% of West Virginia graduate students and 30% of undergraduate students enrolled at a public institution and completed at least one course online. This percentage climbs to 74% for both undergraduate and graduate students when looking at only large universities that have more than 10,000 in enrollment.[dataviz-nces online="40" undergrad="76.5" in-state="10.2"]Many distance learners choose to complete all coursework online, which may be attributed to the number of out-of-state students enrolling in West Virginia's distance learning programs. The 2015 Online Learning Survey data indicates that 49,876 undergraduates and 12,485 graduates enrolled in online programs full time in 2015. Of this total, 54,224 were out-of-state students. Meanwhile, 88,382 students took a mixture of on-campus and online courses during their programs.West Virginia online students typically attend private, for-profit institutions, with just 34% attending private nonprofit and public schools. Additionally, online programs in West Virginia primarily attract students at the graduate level, as those students represent 76% of the total population. The American Public University System provided distance education to 52,361 undergraduate and graduate students in 2015, making the school one of the best online colleges in West Virginia. At second and third place for top enrollment, West Virginia and Marshall University provided education to nearly 5,000 students.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Since 1948, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) has strived to improve public education by working with influential policymakers, education agency officials, and legislatures to create better policies that lead to an increase in college completion and professional success for graduates. The SREB also conducts ongoing research, analyzes data, and provides public reports for current issues.Out-of-state students considering a degree in West Virginia may qualify for tuition breaks through the SREB's Academic Common Market and Electronic Campus program. This program provides students access to in-state tuition when programs do not exist in a student's state of residence. The Academic Common Market and Electronic Campus do not provide assistance for professional degrees, including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and law. Students must meet the academic requirements of the college program they apply to, which may include additional stipulations, including full-time enrollment or a higher minimum GPA.The SREB member states include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in West Virginia. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then lists their services for distance students and their most popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in West Virginia, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in West Virginia or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in West Virginia
Below, is a list of the most affordable online schools in West Virginia ranked and ordered by tuition cost.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online schools in WV is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in West Virginia.
College Graduate Outlook in West Virginia
Job Outlook for College Graduates in West Virginia
Students who intend to launch their careers in West Virginia should familiarize themselves with the current job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), West Virginia currently has a 5.2% overall unemployment rate. However, employment rates vary by industry. Therefore, students should examine BLS data to identify if West Virginia's job market supports their career goals.On average, West Virginia employees make around $41,400 per year. According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce, key industries include energy, metals, manufacturing, aerospace, chemicals and polymers, building products, fulfillment distribution, energy, technology and information services, and automotive. In particular, the aerospace industry has rapidly expanded due to profitability and a highly qualified workforce. Furthermore, strategic location and raw materials help this industry thrive.Similarly, the metal industry employs thousands of seasoned professionals who fuel over 4,000 regional suppliers in the manufacturing industry. In fact, the manufacturing industry has a long history of employment in West Virginia due to the state's natural resources and transportation options. This industry employs nearly 50,000 people each year and represents over 6% of West Virginia's entire labor force.