2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia

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First-year retention rates measure the percentage of first-year students who come back to campus for a second year. This is an indicator of how happy students are generally with their decision to attend that institution as less students decide to drop out or transfer to another school.

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Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Appalachian Bible College	82	98.57	1,030 – 1,210	18749	52139	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Appalachian Bible College Mount Hope, WV Found in Mount Hope, Appalachian Bible College accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 100% of students attending Appalachian Bible College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 98.6% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $18,749 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,139
2	University of Charleston	74	64.58	1,000 – 1,150	21100	42698	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 74 % 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	73.6	95.1	980 – 1,200	20093	42672	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 74 % 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	Shepherd University	73.32	95.65	960 – 1,190	12651	43726	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV Located in Shepherdstown, Shepherd University accepts 96% of applicants and requires $45 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 86% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 73% and its four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 960 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $12,651 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,726
5	Marshall University	71.7	95.72	960 – 1,170	9734	39561	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Marshall University Huntington, WV Based in Huntington, Marshall University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 88% of students at Marshall University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 8.1% Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $9,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,561
6	Wheeling University	71	75.18	930 – 1,140	19164	48482	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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. First Year Retention Rate 71 % 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
7	Davis & Elkins College	69	58.23	910 – 1,140	19762	38495	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 69 % 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
8	Glenville State University	68	99.24	870 – 1,090	16745	34917	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 68 % 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
9	Concord University	64.84	92.56	860 – 1,120	10630	33094	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 65 % 32.3% 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
10	Fairmont State University	64	99.24	910 – 1,100	10993	41197	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 64 % 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
11	West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown	64	95.1	--	15418	30544	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown Morgantown, WV Based in Morgantown, West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown’s acceptance rate is 95% and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 45% of students at West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $15,418 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,544
12	Bethany College	63.41	60.49	930 – 1,110	16844	37124	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Bethany College Bethany, WV Located in Bethany, Bethany College accepts 60% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at Bethany College currently receive institutional grant aid. They receive $28,014 on average. 63% of students continued studying at Bethany College after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 60.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $16,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,124
13	West Liberty University	63	72.12	920 – 1,150	14203	36822	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia 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 First Year Retention Rate 63 % 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
14	Bluefield State University	57	87.22	900 – 1,100	14500	35030	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV Based in Bluefield, Bluefield State University’s acceptance rate is 87% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 92% of students attending Bluefield State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 57 % Acceptance Rate 87.2% SAT Score 900 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $14,500 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,030
15	West Virginia University at Parkersburg	57	0	--	3536	31076	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV First Year Retention Rate 57 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $3,536 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,076
16	West Virginia University Institute of Technology	56.3	61	1,000 – 1,210	11015	45181	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia West Virginia University Institute of Technology Beckley, WV Based in Beckley, West Virginia University Institute of Technology accepted 61% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 84% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 56%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % Acceptance Rate 61.0% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,015 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,181
17	Salem University	43	47.33	900 – 1,130	11626	31612	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Salem University Salem, WV Found in Salem, Salem University’s acceptance rate is 47%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 49% of students at Salem University will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 43%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 43 % Acceptance Rate 47.3% SAT Score 900 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $11,626 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,612
18	Potomac State College of West Virginia University	39.4	0	--	7685	45181	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Potomac State College of West Virginia University Keyser, WV First Year Retention Rate 39 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $7,685 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,181
19	West Virginia University	0.81	77.8	1,020 – 1,230	13691	45181	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Based in Morgantown, West Virginia University’s acceptance rate is 78%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. Approximately 90% of students attending West Virginia University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 1 % Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $13,691 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,181
20	American Public University System	0	0	--	10322	32917	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia American Public University System Charles Town, WV First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,917
21	Martinsburg College	0	100	--	11096	63721	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Martinsburg College Martinsburg, WV First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,096 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
22	Strayer University-West Virginia	0	92.52	--	16943	36582	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Strayer University-West Virginia Scott Depot, WV First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 92.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $16,943 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,582
23	Valley College-Martinsburg	0	82.95	--	25666	25548	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia Valley College-Martinsburg Martinsburg, WV First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $25,666 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,548
24	West Virginia State University	0	96.37	870 – 1,080	10878	32849	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in West Virginia West Virginia State University Institute, WV First Year Retention Rate -- 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