2026 Best Value Value Schools in West Virginia
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Marshall University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in West Virginia. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Value graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $51,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Value graduates carry a median of $32,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $49,622. Set against $32,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Charleston, which ranked #3. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $22,617. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,646. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $64,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
