2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in West Virginia

1

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in West Virginia. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,084 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,159. That is a strong return on a $15,084 median debt.

2

Bridgevalley Community And Technical College
South Charleston, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn a median of $23,902 early in their careers. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Blue Ridge Community And Technical College
Martinsburg, WV

A rank of #3 makes Blue Ridge Community And Technical College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,500. General Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,872 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

New River Community And Technical College
Beaver, WV

New River Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,156, compared with $9,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,187 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of New River Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Set against $8,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

West Virginia Northern Community College
Wheeling, WV

West Virginia Northern Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia Northern Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,706, compared with $12,698 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,369 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University
Keyser, WV

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $24,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Mountwest Community And Technical College
Huntington, WV

Mountwest Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Mountwest Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $4,938 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,304 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mountwest Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.

8

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,248 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,282. Set against $29,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College
Moorefield, WV

Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Moorefield, Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,722. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern West Virginia Community And Technical College generally make around $28,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College
Logan, WV

Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,136, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,153 ten years after entry.

11

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,195. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $30,939. General Studies graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $33,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.

13

Pierpont Community And Technical College
Fairmont, WV

Pierpont Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Pierpont Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,762, with out-of-state students paying around $13,660. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,366. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,759. That is a strong return on a $18,366 median debt.

14

Concord University
Athens, WV

Concord University landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,326 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,499. That is a strong return on a $24,326 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

15

West Virginia State University
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. Students from in state pay about $9,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $31,125. General Studies graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $41,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV

Shepherd University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $33,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

17

Bluefield State College
Bluefield, WV

Bluefield State College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Bluefield State College is a small public school located in the town of Bluefield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,648, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,655. General Studies graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $25,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

18

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,874. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

19

Glenville State College
Glenville, WV

Glenville State College earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,647. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Glenville State College generally make around $25,428. Set against $24,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.