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Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

21 Schools Ranked
$41,760 Average Earnings
$21,866 Avg Student Debt

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia ranking. This report analyzed 21 schools in West Virginia to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in West Virginia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia
$36,129 Average Earnings
$24,383 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Shepherd University to be the best school for nursing students in West Virginia.

On average, students take out $24,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $293 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Shepherd University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,129 during the early year of their career.

Full Shepherd University Report

#2

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
$51,395 Average Earnings
$25,070 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,070 in student loans. During the early years of their career, American Military University graduates make an average of $51,395 annually.

Read full report on American Public University System

#3

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
$46,248 Average Earnings
$22,491 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, West Virginia University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,491 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $409 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WVU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,248 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Wheeling University

Wheeling, West Virginia
$59,427 Average Earnings
$35,999 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Wheeling University landed the # 4 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $35,999 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Wheeling University graduates make an average of $59,427 annually.

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#5

University of Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
$61,717 Average Earnings
$22,697 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Charleston is a great place for nursing students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,697 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UC graduates make an average of $61,717 annually.

Read full report on University of Charleston

#6

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, West Virginia
$45,257 Average Earnings
$23,263 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,263 in student loans.After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,257 during the early years of their career.

Full West Virginia Wesleyan College Report

#7

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, West Virginia
$45,780 Average Earnings
$15,016 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, BridgeValley Community & Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $15,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BridgeValley Community & Technical College graduates make an average of $45,780 annually.

Full BridgeValley Community & Technical College Report

#8

Davis & Elkins College

Elkins, West Virginia
$64,503 Average Earnings
$31,236 Avg Student Debt

Davis & Elkins College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,236 in student loans.After graduating from D&E, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,503 during the early years of their career.

Full Davis & Elkins College Report

#9

Alderson Broaddus University

Philippi, West Virginia
$47,356 Average Earnings
$33,573 Avg Student Debt

Alderson Broaddus University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

Degree recipients from Alderson Broaddus University accumulate an average of $33,573 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Alderson Broaddus University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,356 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Alderson Broaddus University

#10

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia
$37,492 Average Earnings
$26,033 Avg Student Debt

Fairmont State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Fairmont State accumulate an average of $26,033 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Fairmont State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,492 during the early year of their career.

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#11

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
$34,100 Average Earnings
$19,614 Avg Student Debt

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

Degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $19,614 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $34,100 annually.

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#12

West Liberty University

West Liberty, West Virginia
$45,672 Average Earnings
$25,930 Avg Student Debt

West Liberty University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

Degree recipients from West Liberty University accumulate an average of $25,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $113.After graduating from West Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,672 during the early years of their career.

Full West Liberty University Report

#13

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia
$32,451 Average Earnings
$15,385 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

Degree recipients from WVJC Morgantown accumulate an average of $15,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WVJC Morgantown, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,451 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
$46,274 Average Earnings
$25,692 Avg Student Debt

Marshall University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,692 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $171, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Marshall University graduates make an average of $46,274 annually.

Read full report on Marshall University

#15

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, West Virginia
$47,123 Average Earnings
$19,249 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Pierpont Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $19,249 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pierpont Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,123 during the early years of their career.

Full Pierpont Community and Technical College Report

#16

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia
$36,389 Average Earnings
$17,203 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia University at Parkersburg landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from West Virginia University at Parkersburg accumulate an average of $17,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from West Virginia University at Parkersburg, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,389 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on West Virginia University at Parkersburg

#17

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
$25,750 Average Earnings
$9,310 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

Degree recipients from WVJC Charleston accumulate an average of $9,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WVJC Charleston graduates make an average of $25,750 annually.

Full West Virginia Junior College - Charleston Report

#18

Bluefield State College

Bluefield, West Virginia
$35,587 Average Earnings
$27,628 Avg Student Debt

Bluefield State College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

Degree recipients from Bluefield State College accumulate an average of $27,628 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bluefield State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,587 during the early year of their career.

Full Bluefield State College Report

#19

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling, West Virginia
$29,478 Average Earnings
$14,299 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Northern Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from WVNCC accumulate an average of $14,299 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WVNCC graduates make an average of $29,478 annually.

Full West Virginia Northern Community College Report

$44,163 Average Earnings

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list.

During the early years of their career, Southern graduates make an average of $44,163 annually.

Full Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Report

$29,145 Average Earnings
$11,220 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, New River Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from New River Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $11,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, New River Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $29,145 annually.

Read full report on New River Community and Technical College

View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • 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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