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2023 Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

21 Schools Ranked
$41,791 Average Earnings
$30,482 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
654 Total Awards
$36,129 Average Earnings
$21,119 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Shepherd University to be the best school for nursing students in West Virginia. This small public school is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and it awarded 654 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Shepherd University accumulate an average of $21,119 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $354, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Shepherd University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,129 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Shepherd University

#2

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
14,167 Total Awards
$51,395 Average Earnings
$29,480 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 14,167 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from American Military University accumulate an average of $29,480 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, American Military University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,395 during the early year of their career.

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#3

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
6,534 Total Awards
$46,248 Average Earnings
$43,427 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. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 6,534 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $43,427 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $498, assuming you 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
176 Total Awards
$59,427 Average Earnings
$33,615 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wheeling University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list. Wheeling, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 176 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,615 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wheeling University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,427 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Wheeling University

#5

University of Charleston

Charleston, West Virginia
1,065 Total Awards
$61,717 Average Earnings
$51,937 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 21 schools in West Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Charleston landed the # 5 spot on the list. UC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charleston, West Virginia. It awarded 1,065 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $51,937 in student loans.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,717 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Charleston Report

#6

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, West Virginia
270 Total Awards
$45,257 Average Earnings
$34,151 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Wesleyan College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Buckhannon, West Virginia, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 270 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan accumulate an average of $34,151 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, West Virginia Wesleyan graduates make an average of $45,257 annually.

Read full report on West Virginia Wesleyan College

#7

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, West Virginia
360 Total Awards
$45,780 Average Earnings
$10,721 Avg Student Debt

BridgeValley Community & Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. BridgeValley Community & Technical College is a small public school situated in South Charleston, West Virginia. It awarded 360 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $10,721 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.

Read full report on BridgeValley Community & Technical College

#8

Davis & Elkins College

Elkins, West Virginia
151 Total Awards
$64,503 Average Earnings
$25,217 Avg Student Debt

Davis & Elkins College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Elkins, West Virginia, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 151 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from D&E accumulate an average of $25,217 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, D&E graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,503 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Alderson Broaddus University

Philippi, West Virginia
170 Total Awards
$47,356 Average Earnings
$86,705 Avg Student Debt

Alderson Broaddus University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia ranking. Philippi, West Virginia is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 170 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $86,705 in student loans.After graduating from Alderson Broaddus University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,356 during the early years of their career.

Full Alderson Broaddus University Report

#10

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia
863 Total Awards
$37,492 Average Earnings
$23,385 Avg Student Debt

Fairmont State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Fairmont, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 863 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,385 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $235, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fairmont State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,492 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Fairmont State University

#11

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia
638 Total Awards
$34,100 Average Earnings
$16,189 Avg Student Debt

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia ranking. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Martinsburg, West Virginia that handed out 638 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $16,189 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $34,100 annually.

Full Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Report

#12

West Liberty University

West Liberty, West Virginia
604 Total Awards
$45,672 Average Earnings
$29,290 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, West Liberty University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. West Liberty, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 604 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,290 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $240, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.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.

Read full report on West Liberty University

#13

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia
307 Total Awards
$32,451 Average Earnings
$10,796 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, the very small private for-profit school handed out 307 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $10,796 in loans while pursuing 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.

Full West Virginia Junior College - Morgantown Report

#14

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
2,637 Total Awards
$46,274 Average Earnings
$44,229 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. Marshall University is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington, West Virginia. It awarded 2,637 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $44,229 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $185.After graduating from Marshall University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,274 during the early years of their career.

Full Marshall University Report

#15

Pierpont Community and Technical College

Fairmont, West Virginia
706 Total Awards
$47,123 Average Earnings
$13,552 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. Pierpont Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Fairmont, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 706 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,552 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Pierpont Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $47,123 annually.

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#16

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia
687 Total Awards
$36,389 Average Earnings
$15,731 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia University at Parkersburg landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a small public school situated in Parkersburg, West Virginia. It awarded 687 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,731 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,389 during the early year of their career.

Full West Virginia University at Parkersburg Report

#17

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston

Cross Lanes, West Virginia
88 Total Awards
$25,750 Average Earnings
$9,103 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Junior College - Charleston ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, and it awarded 88 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $9,103 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WVJC Charleston graduates make an average of $25,750 annually.

Read More…

#18

Bluefield State College

Bluefield, West Virginia
250 Total Awards
$35,587 Average Earnings
$23,034 Avg Student Debt

Bluefield State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Bluefield, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 250 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $23,034 in loans while pursuing 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.

Read More…

#19

West Virginia Northern Community College

Wheeling, West Virginia
282 Total Awards
$29,478 Average Earnings
$9,507 Avg Student Debt

West Virginia Northern Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. WVNCC is a small public school situated in Wheeling, West Virginia. It awarded 282 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from WVNCC accumulate an average of $9,507 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WVNCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,478 during the early years of their career.

Full West Virginia Northern Community College Report

476 Total Awards
$44,163 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #20, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Mount Gay, West Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 476 students in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

327 Total Awards
$29,145 Average Earnings
$7,214 Avg Student Debt

New River Community and Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia list. Located in Beaver, West Virginia, the small public school awarded 327 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from New River Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $7,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from New River Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,145 during the early years of their career.

Full New River Community and Technical College Report

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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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