To keep up with advancements in the digital space, many colleges and universities offer degrees through distance learning. Colleges in West Virginia are no exception, as many of them now offer online degrees. However, to ensure that you only get a high-quality education, it’s best to study at accredited online colleges in West Virginia that offer distance learning.
This article will help you find the best online colleges in West Virginia that are accredited and recognized for their excellence. You’ll also find the virtual schools in West Virginia that offer the best undergraduate and graduate programs and online schools in West Virginia that offer financial aid options.
Fully Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia: Two Types of Accreditation
Accreditation for colleges and universities have two types: regional and national. Below, we provide a more detailed overview of each accreditation type.
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges
Having a regional accreditation means the educational curriculum or institution has been deemed high-quality regionally for educational pursuits. Regional accreditation tends to have more rigorous quality standards than national accreditation. In West Virginia, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is the known accrediting body of universities and colleges.
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
There are 10 nationally recognized accrediting bodies across the country. One example is the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) accreditation body. National bodies often accredit trade schools, vocational institutions, and other career-focused schools.
Why Is Accreditation Important for College?
Accreditation is important for college because it determines if the school meets or exceeds the education quality criteria. It guarantees a school’s level of academic proficiency and helps institutions in assessing transfer credit eligibility. Some industry certifications or professional designations expressly state that a degree from an accredited institution is required.
How to Find an Accredited Online College in West Virginia
You can find out whether an online college in West Virginia is accredited by checking the US Department of Education’s database or visiting the school’s official website. You may also search for colleges on the regional accrediting agency’s website. Details on what to look for are below.
Check the US Department of Education’s Database
You can check a school’s accreditation status via the US Department of Education’s database. Type the school name in the search bar and press the Search button. You will be provided a list of schools. Click on the school you’re looking for. Then, the school accreditor will appear on the page.
Search for Colleges on the Regional Accrediting Agency’s Website
For West Virginia, you can use the Higher Learning Commission website to research which universities are accredited. In its directory, type the name of the school, select the state, and click search. You’ll then see the accreditation status of schools and their reviews of accreditation and general institutional information.
Visit the School’s Official Website
Visiting a school’s official website is the simplest approach to determining an online school’s accreditation status. Some schools place it in their About section, while others have a dedicated page for accreditation information.
Top 10 Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia: Overview
| Ranking | Online College | Accreditation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling Jesuit University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 68% |
| 2 | West Virginia University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 60% |
| 3 | Marshall University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 50% |
| 4 | West Liberty University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 46% |
| 5 | University of Charleston | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 45% |
| 6 | Alderson Broaddus University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 43% |
| 7 | Fairmont State University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 42% |
| 8 | Concord University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 40% |
| 9 | West Virginia State University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 39% |
| 10 | Salem University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 31% |
How We Ranked the Best Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia
We ranked the best accredited online colleges in West Virginia by looking at the graduation rates of various institutions that offer fully online degree programs. The information in the table above comes from the schools’ official websites, the US Department of Education’s database of accredited schools, and the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard tool.
Best Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia: Deep Dive
In the previous section, we listed all the best accredited online colleges in West Virginia. Now, we will explain every school from the list in detail. Below, you’ll find general information about the schools, whether they provide online learning or hybrid programs, and what top online degrees they offer.
What Is the Easiest Online College That Is Accredited in West Virginia?
The easiest online college that is accredited in West Virginia is Wheeling Jesuit University. According to the US Department of Education College Scorecard, the university has a 68 percent graduation rate, which means it’s easier to graduate here than from other schools. It also provides financial aid to 99 percent of students to reduce their financial worries for earning a degree.
What Is the Cheapest Accredited Online College in West Virginia?
The cheapest accredited online college in West Virginia is Fairmont State University, with the cost of tuition only $8,210 per academic year for undergraduate studies. Graduate students at Fairmont State pay $9,466 for an academic year of graduate study. However, this amount is exclusive of fees and further expenses related to the specific program of study such as equipment expenses or lab fees.
Are There Free Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia?
No, there are no free accredited online colleges in West Virginia. However, there are state and federal grants or scholarship opportunities that many universities offer which could cover tuition costs. Federal funding is also available for accredited programs and online colleges.
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If you want to learn for free online, there are online resources that offer free courses in a board range of topics. One free resource is the MIT OpenCourseWare where can find many free online courses and academic resources. West Virginia University also offers free massive open online courses (MOOCs) to the public in partnership with Coursera.
Why Choose an Accredited Online College in West Virginia?
You should choose an accredited online college in West Virginia because they provide distance learning programs that are flexible and less time-consuming. Online colleges are often cheaper and more affordable with average tuition rates than traditional education. Some online colleges also offer multiple learning formats, giving you more options to suit your needs.
Flexibility
Online learning classes offer more flexibility to online students. They spend less time traveling and can learn from the comfort of their home. With everything now accessible online, many traditional-style colleges try to find ways to develop online programs that are customizable to the needs of prospective students.
Affordability
Online classes and courses are more affordable than traditional learning classes. Traditional classes pay for heating, food, and maintenance, so tuition is more expensive. Online academic classes are less expensive because they don’t require as many resources as traditional classes.
Variety in Learning Formats
In many cases, online colleges offer multiple learning formats. They can range from distance learning programs and in-person learning to hybrid learning. The more different learning styles you are offered, the more options you have to learn in a way that suits your personal preferences.
Most Affordable Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia
The most affordable accredited online colleges in West Virginia are Marshall University, University of Charleston, and Fairmont State University. They also include West Virginia State University and West Liberty University. We provide more details for each school’s tuition rates below.
- Marshall University | Tuition: $281.75/Credit Hour. Marshall University offers one of the cheapest per credit hour rates in the state for its online learners. After fees, the cost per credit hour is still only $331.75.
- Fairmont State University | Tuition: $331/Credit Hour. Undergraduate students can complete course credits for just $331 per credit hour, while graduate students pay $511 per credit hour. Both types of degrees are subject to specific program fees on top of the per credit rate.
- University of Charleston | Tuition: $380/Credit Hour. Online bachelor’s degree programs at Charleston in fields such as cyber security, management, psychology, and nursing pay just $380 per credit hour.
- West Virginia State University | Tuition: $324 – $450/Credit Hour. In-state graduate students pay just $450 per credit hour to study online at West Virginia State University. In-state undergraduates pay $324 per credit, before fees.
- West Liberty University | Tuition: $356/Credit Hour. Undergraduates at West Liberty University can complete some of its top programs including the Bachelor of Psychology for $356 per credit hour. Graduate students, such as those studying in the college’s prestigious Master of Nursing program, pay just $450 per credit hour.
Best Online Accredited Colleges in West Virginia That Accept Financial Aid
The best affordable accredited colleges in West Virginia that accept financial aid are Alderson Broaddus University, University of Charleston, and Wheeling University. Concord University and Fairmont State University also accept financial aid.
- Alderson Broaddus University | Tuition: $30,020/Year. At this liberal arts education institution, 100 percent of its students receive financial aid.
- Wheeling University | Tuition: $29,090/Year. Founded in 1954 as a Jesuit institution until 2019, 100 percent of its students currently receive financial aid, according to the National Center For Education Statistics (NCES).
- Concord University | Tuition: $8,540/Semester. This public university in Athens, West Virginia, provides 100 percent of its students with some type of financial aid.
- University of Charleston | Tuition: $31,400/Year. Private non-profit university, the University of Charleston, offers financial aid to 99 percent of its students.
- Fairmont State University | Tuition: $8,210/Year. This public university in Fairmont, West Virginia provides financial aid to 97 percent of enrolled students.
Best Online Schools in West Virginia by Popular Subjects
The best online schools in West Virginia can also be grouped together based on popular subjects. Below, we give a brief explanation why these are the top online schools for particular areas of study.
Best Accredited Online Colleges With Associate Degree Programs in West Virginia
The best accredited online colleges with associate degree programs in West Virginia are West Virginia University, University of Charleston, Salem University, and West Virginia Junior College. There aren’t many universities and colleges in West Virginia that offer online associate degrees. Our list of schools below are those with many options for associate degrees in various fields.
- West Virginia University | General Studies. This Associate of Arts degree provides a strong foundation for students who want to pursue a more specific discipline later on.
- University of Charleston | Cyber Security. This program provides lab and hands-on activities. It’s suitable for part-time or full-time students and beginners.
- Salem University | Computer Science. This computer science associate degree equips students with general foundational knowledge for entry-level jobs in the field.
- West Virginia Junior College | Medical Coding. This medical coding program prepares students for medical billing and insurance-related jobs in different healthcare companies.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Bachelor’s Degree Programs in West Virginia
The best accredited online colleges with bachelor’s degree programs in West Virginia are Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia University, and Marshall University. West Liberty University and University of Charleston also made it to our list below.
- Wheeling Jesuit University | Criminal Justice. The criminal justice degree helps students understand the fundamentals of justice in instances of crimes.
- West Virginia University | Integrated Marketing Communications. This degree teaches students about marketing, social media strategy, and public relations. It’s suitable for learners who like degrees with customizable course schedule.
- Marshall University | Medical Laboratory Science. The medical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). It can be completed as a part of the associate’s program in Medical Laboratory Technology.
- West Liberty University | RN-BSN. This RN-BSN program has affordable tuition rates and provides individual nursing advisors to students.
- University of Charleston | Organizational Leadership. This leadership bachelor’s degree is offered in online and hybrid formats. Students learn adaptive leadership styles and job-ready skills through this program.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Master’s Degree Programs in West Virginia
The best accredited online colleges with master’s degree programs in West Virginia are Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia University, and Marshall University. They also include West Liberty University and University of Charleston.
- Wheeling Jesuit University | Business Administration. Wheeling University’s MBA program investigates the internal and external variables that help or hinder firms, as well as the ethical implications of organizational behavior.
- West Virginia University | Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. This master’s program helps graduate students learn how to assist patients with substance addiction issues, physical limitations, and mental diseases.
- Marshall University | Computer Science. Marshall University’s computer science degree prepares graduate students for professional practice in computer science or for pursuing a doctorate degree.
- West Liberty University | Biology Zoo Science. This is a unique master’s degree among the schools with online learning platforms in the US. It provides practical experience to students in cooperation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) certified facility.
- University of Charleston | Strategic Leadership. This program offers online education and in-person education. It’s a master’s degree program that provides advanced skills and knowledge for senior-level leadership. Students learn the processes for the strategic capacity of communities, organizations, or institutions.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Why You Should Attend an Accredited Online College in West Virginia
You should attend an accredited online college in West Virginia because they are reputable,, flexible, and affordable with many providing competitive tuition rates or financial aid options. An online college’s accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission also enables you to continue to higher education or impress employers.
West Virginia’s quality of education is also bound to improve further as the government prioritizes academic excellence. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission states that higher education leaders aim to double the number of high-quality degrees by the end of 2030.
Accredited Online Colleges in West Virginia FAQ
Yes, you can study at an online college from a different state. You can also get an online college degree from a different state because online degree programs don’t require you to live in the state where the physical institution resides. The only difference from studying in state versus out of state could be the tuition cost, as some colleges charge out-of-state students a higher tuition.
Yes, West Virginia University has good graduate and undergraduate computer science programs. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree is is accredited by the Computer Accreditation Commission of ABET and allows students to complete a dual degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or biometric systems engineering alongside their computer science degree.
Yes, West Virginia University degrees offer great value. It’s online programs rank in the top 50 of master’s programs in fields such as business for veterans, computer information technology, education, and business administration.
According to US News & World Report, West Virginia University is ranked 249th in National Universities and #123 in Top Public Schools. West Virginia University is a large prestigious public university with a high acceptance rate. It also retains its R1, or very high research activity status, that only three percent of US universities have.
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