2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference

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The two-year student loan default rate measures how many graduates from the institution go into default on their student loans with two years of graduation. This is a complicated metric with many factors, but in general colleges and universities with high student loan default rates may indicate that students have trouble finding employment or well-paying jobs after college. This may mean that the institution has a less-established reputation with employers or that it graduates a higher percentage of students with degrees in lower-wage fields of study.

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Rank	Institution	Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year)	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Wheeling University	4.5	75.18	930 – 1,140	19164	48482	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Wheeling University Wheeling, WV “Luceat Lux Vestra” – Let Your Light Shine is the motto of this small Catholic school. 78% of Wheeling University’s students receive institutional grants to help offset the cost. Many choose to study Physical Therapy/Therapist. Students wear red, black, and gold, and the school mascot is Iggy the Cardinal. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 4.5 % Acceptance Rate 75.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $19,164 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,482
2	University of Charleston	5.8	64.58	1,000 – 1,150	21100	42698	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference University of Charleston Charleston, WV Found in Charleston, the University of Charleston’s acceptance rate is 65%. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. About 92% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 74%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 5.8 % Acceptance Rate 64.6% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $21,100 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,698
3	West Virginia Wesleyan College	8.6	95.1	980 – 1,200	20093	42672	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WV Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, West Virginia Wesleyan College offers up to Doctor's degrees and has 38 available programs and majors. Business/Commerce, General is the most popular, followed by Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 8.6 % Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 980 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $20,093 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,672
4	Frostburg State University	9.2	89.2	930 – 1,240	16521	43638	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Based in Frostburg, Frostburg State University’s acceptance rate is 89%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 87% of students at Frostburg State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 9.2 % Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,521 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,638
5	West Virginia State University	10.1	96.37	870 – 1,080	10878	32849	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference West Virginia State University Institute, WV Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.1 % Acceptance Rate 96.4% SAT Score 870 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $10,878 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,849
6	Davis & Elkins College	10.3	58.23	910 – 1,140	19762	38495	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Davis & Elkins College Elkins, WV Found in Elkins, Davis & Elkins College’s acceptance rate is 58% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Davis & Elkins College currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 69%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 10.3 % Acceptance Rate 58.2% SAT Score 910 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $19,762 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,495
7	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	11.9	93.35	890 – 1,090	9687	37126	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Located in Pembroke, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $55 for undergraduate applications and $55 for graduate applications. About 42% of students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke currently receive grant aid from......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 11.9 % Acceptance Rate 93.4% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $9,687 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,126
8	Concord University	13	92.56	860 – 1,120	10630	33094	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Concord University Athens, WV Based in Athens, Concord University accepts 93% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 79% of students at Concord University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 13.0 % Acceptance Rate 92.6% SAT Score 860 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $10,630 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,094
9	Fairmont State University	13.6	99.24	910 – 1,100	10993	41197	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV Located in Fairmont, Fairmont State University accepts 99% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 77% of students at Fairmont State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Fairmont State University, there is a 64% first year retention rate and......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 13.6 % Acceptance Rate 99.2% SAT Score 910 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $10,993 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,197
10	West Liberty University	14.5	72.12	920 – 1,150	14203	36822	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference West Liberty University West Liberty, WV Found in West Liberty, West Liberty University accepts 72% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 33% of students attending West Liberty University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 14.5 % Acceptance Rate 72.1% SAT Score 920 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,203 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,822
11	Glenville State University	17.2	99.24	870 – 1,090	16745	34917	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate – Mountain East Conference Glenville State University Glenville, WV Found in Glenville, Glenville State University’s acceptance rate is 99%. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications and $20 for graduate applications. Approximately 68% of students attending Glenville State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 68%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 17.2 % Acceptance Rate 99.2% SAT Score 870 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $16,745 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,917