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Summary
West Virginia University is a public institution that was founded in 1867. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,303, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,456 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. West Virginia University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 164. Its in-state tuition and fees are $5,674 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,844 (2011-12).
West Virginia University is a public institution located in the small city of Morgantown, in the northern part of the state, along the Monongahela River. Situated near the Pennsylvania border, the WVU campus is an easy drive to the cities of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Washington, which is convenient for students who want to take a break from academics for the weekend. WVU offers nearly 200 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs within 13 colleges. A few of the graduate degrees available include those in the College of Business and Economics, the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, and the School of Medicine, which is home to the highly ranked rural medicine and primary care programs.
Students at WVU can help others through the Center for Civic Engagement, which gives class credit for community service and promotes events such as Random Acts of Kindness Week. There are also more than 300 student organizations for students to try, including nearly 30 Greek chapters, as well as club and intramural sports. For varsity athletics, students can choose from nearly 20 WVU Mountaineers teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference. Notable WVU alumni include Don Knotts, better known as the gawky deputy Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show.
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According to the school, West Virginia University is a place where dreams come true. A tradition of academic excellence attracts exceptional high school seniors. WVU has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars, 33 Goldwater Scholars, 21 Truman Scholars, seven Boren Scholars, five Gilman Scholars, two Fulbright Scholars, two British Marshall Scholars, two Morris K. Udall Scholars, and five members of USA Today's All-USA College Academic First Team (and eleven academic team honorees). Whether your goal is to be an aerospace engineer, reporter, physicist, athletic trainer, forensic investigator, pharmacist, or CEO, WVU's 190 degree choices can make it happen. Unique student-centered initiatives extend learning beyond the classroom. Resident Faculty Leaders live next to the residence halls to mentor students, and WVUp All Night provides free food and activities on weekends. The Mountaineer Parents Club connects 20,000 WVU families, and a toll-free helpline leads to a parent advocate. The Student Recreation Center includes athletic courts, pools, weight/fitness equipment, and a 50-foot indoor climbing wall. Students come from every West Virginia county, 50 states and Washington, D.C., and 100 countries because WVU encourages and nurtures diversity. As a major research institution, WVU attracts over $177 million in annual research funding. The campus is one of the safest in the nation, and the area's natural beauty provides chances to ski, bike, rock climb, hike, and go white-water rafting. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1867 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2010 Endowment | $340,865,829 |
Applying
When applying to West Virginia University, it's important to note the application deadline is August 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due August 1. The application fee at West Virginia University is $25. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 86.1 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 86% |
| Application deadline | August 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | August 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at West Virginia University is 23:1, and the school has 31.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at West Virginia University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Engineering; and Health Professions and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 80.0 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 23:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 33% - Medium | ||||||||||
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Student Life
West Virginia University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,303, with a gender distribution of 54.8 percent male students and 45.2 percent female students. 26.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 74.0 percent of students live off campus. West Virginia University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at West Virginia University.
| Total enrollment | 29,306 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
West Virginia University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. West Virginia University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at West Virginia University.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At West Virginia University, 50.0 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $5,029.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $5,674 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $17,844 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $8,404 (2011-12) - Medium |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
