Best Online Colleges in West Virginia

Learn about the best online colleges in West Virginia. Find out about in-demand jobs and online learning opportunities in the state.
Danika Miller
By
Edited by
Updated October 2, 2024
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Coal generally comes to mind when you think of West Virginia, but that’s not necessarily where the future of jobs lies in the state.

While mining will always be a hallmark of West Virginia, there are opportunities in other thriving industries. According to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, those industries include aerospace, information technology, defense, and manufacturing.

West Virginia offers an extensive list of online learning opportunities to prepare for these and other fields. Students wanting an online education in a high-demand field can even get a discount or free education in West Virginia.

Even if you don’t live in the state, there are options for certain out-of-state candidates to get a discounted education. The college or university must prove their standards for online courses are the same as their on-campus classes.

Top Online Degree Programs in West Virginia

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Best Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

West Virginia University

  • Morgantown, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

West Virginia University is a public, land- and space-grant research university with a main campus in Morgantown and two additional campuses in Beckley and Keyser. Together, these locations enroll nearly 30,000 students. WVU also stands out as one of the best online colleges in West Virginia.

WVU Online offers over 600 courses, as well as 31 degrees, 23 minors, and 13 certificates. Bachelor's degrees are available in areas like business, child development and family studies, and nursing. Students may also select a multidisciplinary studies option or a bachelor of arts completion option, allowing participants to combine transfer credits, online classes, and practical experience to fulfill 120 credits.

Master's degrees are available in more than a dozen disciplines, including education, social work, software engineering, and music industry.

Admission requirements vary by student status and program selection. All applicants must supply applicable transcripts and a completed application. Out-of-state online students pay the same tuition as residents, with some additional fees.

53%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,360

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

79%

Retention Rate

$26,568

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
88%
Students Enrolled
24,741
Institution Type
Public
#2

Marshall University

  • Huntington, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

More than 13,000 students attend Marshall University each year. This public research university boasts a main campus in downtown Huntington, four additional campuses and centers throughout the state, and one of the best online colleges in West Virginia.

All of MU's online courses are offered in a flexible, asynchronous format. Available options include four bachelor's completion programs, 12 graduate certificates, 11 master's degrees, and a doctor of education in leadership studies. Students can pursue pathways in mathematics, journalism, nursing, counseling, geography, and several other disciplines. Most master's degrees also offer emphasis options for additional curriculum customization. All distance students receive access to academic advising and career planning services.

Admission requirements, including minimum GPA and exam scores, vary by student status and program selection. Accepted undergraduate transfer students can apply up to 72 eligible credits to their degree at MU. Online tuition costs are not impacted by state residency.

54%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,604

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

74%

Retention Rate

$19,658

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
97%
Students Enrolled
10,835
Institution Type
Public
#3

University of Charleston

  • Charleston, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

The University of Charleston serves more than 2,500 students each year at three campus locations. The school also hosts one of the best online colleges in West Virginia. Initially affiliated with the Methodist Church, UC became an independent private university in 1940.

UC offers a variety of asynchronous online and hybrid programs. Leadership studies are a major focus of UC's online catalog, with options like a frontline leadership associate degree, an organizational leadership bachelor's degree, a strategic leadership master's degree, and an executive leadership doctorate.

Students can also pursue programs in accounting, business administration, cybersecurity, nursing, and psychology. Available support services include academic and career advising, as well as facilitated study groups with other online learners.

Undergraduate applicants should possess a minimum 2.6 high school GPA, while aspiring graduate students should possess a baccalaureate GPA of at least 3.0. State residency does not impact online tuition costs, and military students receive a discounted rate for select programs.

78%

Online Enrollment

$21,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

71%

Retention Rate

$21,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
3,059
Institution Type
Private

West Virginia Employment Outlook

West Virginia provides a great example of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

West Virginia is often ranked as one of the states with the highest poverty rates. That has been magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are exploring ways to help the hardest-hit industries adapt and recover from the crisis.

Job seekers should explore job training and educational opportunities available in the state.

New data shows the manufacturing field in West Virginia has the lowest turnover rate, suggesting when you get a job here, you are more likely to stay than in any other state.

Companies that bring jobs to the state may be eligible for substantial tax benefits and financial assistance. Those choosing to establish businesses in distressed communities are eligible to be exempt from corporate and personal taxes for a decade.

5 West Virginia Jobs in Demand

Couriers and Messengers

What was once an optional job transformed into a necessity with the pandemic. People who didn’t leave home relied on couriers and messengers for delivering everything from a gallon of milk to a critical work project. This job is in demand nationwide as more people work at home or for those who just enjoy the convenience of deliveries. Couriers sometimes get tips, which would increase their salary based on individual performance.

Mean Annual Salary (as of May 2020): $27,940


Social Assistance

Social workers can provide a lifeline to struggling Americans. The projected job growth in the community and social service field is higher than the average of all other U.S. occupations. A bachelor’s degree may help you get a job in this field. To pursue upper-level positions that offer high salaries in this field, a master’s degree will likely be needed.

Median Annual Salary (as of May 2020): $36,000-$52,000


Data Processing/Hosting

Tech-savvy workers are in demand nationwide. The tech industry brings a $2.4 billion impact to West Virginia. Did you know that NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Justice, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health all have locations in West Virginia? A wide variety of private companies make this state home as well.

Mean Annual Salary (as of May 2020): $79,210


Management

The Infrastructure Bill passed in November 2021opens the door for many management and operations jobs, especially in the transportation sector. The management occupations group includes dozens of job possibilities, from CEO to real estate manager.

Mean Annual Salary (as of May 2020): $92,270


Waste Management

This field includes protecting the state’s watersheds from pollution and also helping to crack down on illegal meth lab dumping. Waste management jobs span from the daily pickup of trash to protecting the state’s environment through strict rules and regulations.

Mean Annual Salary (as of May 2020): Varies greatly, depending on role


Popular Career Paths in West Virginia

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Eight colleges are listed as partner institutions in the West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative System (WVROCKS). On its website, you can search by location for a higher learning institution or by field of study. Other colleges and universities in the state also offer online programs.

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