WVSU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare West Virginia State University in Institute, WV with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Virginia State University is located in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Virginia State University 13:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

WVSU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WVSU or WVU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia State University than WVU ($11,055 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 7.3% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,522 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $534 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.8% higher at WVU than at West Virginia State University (about $13,618 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at West Virginia State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 37.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($12,363 vs. $8,993).

WVSU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WVSU or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and WVSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 220 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming WVU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Virginia State University 760/1040; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Virginia State University 15/20; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WVSU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at WVSU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

WVSU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WVSU and WVU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $751 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($240 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.