Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

West Virginia has a long history of higher education and classic institutions that have been producing graduates for centuries. The state was one of the original colonies, and it chartered a number of the earliest colleges and universities in the country. Today, there’s a solid portfolio of good nursing schools in West Virginia, including a robust number of junior colleges and trade schools for entry-level training as well as bachelor degree paths (BSN) and even graduate studies. For those in the area who don’t want to travel out of state or get lost in the big city feel of New York or Los Angeles, current nursing schools in WV provide more than adequate training to pass state licensing requirements and pathways to a nursing career in the state.

List of the Top Nursing Schools in West Virginia

1. St. Mary’s School of Nursing

St. Mary’s School runs a combined program with Marshall University in providing the St. Mary’s School of Nursing. With a religious background, St. Mary’s focuses on teaching nursing rooted in compassion for the patient. The program is physically located on the St. Mary’s campus, and roots training with guidance from highly experienced faculty and medical knowledge resources.

• Cost per year: in-state $5,450 / out-of-state $13,950
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing

2. Bluefield State College – Beckley

Offering two levels of education training, Bluefield State College is well-positioned to handle multiple levels of students from entry-level students, transfer students, and ongoing development candidates. The school provides both standard nursing as well specialization in radiology and related technology. The school administration and mission are dedicated to providing nursing education at an affordable pricing level, despite the higher price points of competition in the state.

• Cost per year: in-state $5,832 / out-of-state $11,064
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, LPN-AND, BSN

3. West Liberty University

West Liberty University is one of the best accredited nursing schools in West Virginia. Unlike a number of other schools in the state, West Liberty University specifically gears its program for students who matriculate straight from high school graduation into a four-year college degree program. The university provides a traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing that is CCNE-accredited and supported by well-experienced faculty. The curriculum provides a solid balance between clinical training as well as textbook theory and the latest market needs in skill-training. The school has an acceptance rate of 72 percent of applications received.

• Cost per year: in-state $6,226 / out-of-state $13,540
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: BSN

4. West Virginia University

With a direct focus on patient care and compassion, West Virginia University provides a powerhouse program for nurse training that instills integrity and team-cooperation, making it one of the best nursing schools in WV. The campus is situated in Morgantown, and every graduating class has met an average 98 percent passing rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. With that kind of performance, it’s no surprise that just about every graduate of West Virginia University finds employment as well.

• Cost per year: in-state $7,992 / out-of-state $22,488
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: BA-BS to BSN, BSN

5. West Virginia Wesleyan College

Situated in Buckhannon, West Virginia, the West Virginia Wesleyan College provides students a standard bachelor’s degree in nursing. Classes are small on purpose to emphasize instructor interaction with students and their development. This also provides a far easier environment in which to train collaborative principles as a group. The advanced technology program lab reinforces the theory with a realistic practical training approach as well.

• Cost per year: $15,383
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: BSN

6. Davis & Elkins College

Having been well-established as an entry-level program provider, Davis & Elkins College just recently began to offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well. The RN-to-BSN program is designed for those who already have an associate degree, and to give current associate program students an ability to continue further at the same school. Students should note, however, the RN-to-BSN program is provided as a distance learning program instead of an in-class format. The school’s acceptance rate is measured at 42 percent of applications received.

• Cost per year: $27,000
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, RN-to-BSN

7. Wheeling University

Wheeling University is one of the best accredited online nursing schools in West Virginia. Starting early in students’ careers, Wheeling University instills a focus on life-long learning. There is never a time seen as a stopping point in a nurse’s education. The curriculum is based on real-life/practice challenges as well as standard medical theory and nurse training. Once graduated, students literally have the ability to work anywhere in the nation as a qualified nurse once licensed in the given state. Graduates regularly pass with an almost 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate. Wheeling is accredited by the CCNE which rounds it off as one of the best nursing schools in WV.

• Cost per year: $27,000
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: BA-BS to BSN, BSN

8. University of Charleston

As a long-time institution in West Virginia, the University of Charleston is a well-known name providing a standard bachelor’s in nursing degree program in a traditional 4-year path. The school ensures integration of its students early on in the curriculum by engaging in partnerships with local medical institutions, faculty that focus on students versus just research, and team challenges to improve a sense and practice in collaborative medicine delivery. Combined with regular interaction with outside nurses and clinics, the University of Charleston’s nursing program has a strong reputation for practical training connections. Charleston has an acceptance rate of 72 percent.

• Cost per year: $29,400
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: BSN

9. Salem International University

Salem International University provides a dedicated RN-to-BSN bachelor’s program for already-licensed nurses looking to promote their skillset to the next level of training. If you’re looking for a fast track nursing school in West Virginia, SIU might be for you. The schedule is accelerated, and students with a dedicated discipline level can complete the program within 10 months. Salem International University operates as a private school offering an accelerated bachelor’s program. The curriculum can be received either as a traditional in-class training or as online education.

• Cost per year: $32,300 (including fees)
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, BSN

10. Fairmont State University

Designed to be both a training institution for staff nurses as well as those who want to move into nursing management, Fairmont puts a heavy emphasis on professionalism, critical thinking under pressure, and expertise in medical knowledge applied. Accredited by ACEN certification, Fairmont State is a solid program offering for nurse training that’s on par with national institution benchmarks.

• Cost per year: in-state $6,306 / out-of-state $13,306
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, LPN-Associate Degree in Nursing

11. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

As a junior college, at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, the program approach provides students with a classic approach to the associate degree in nursing, meeting state requirements for entry-level training. Once completed, students will be eligible to pursue their first level of nursing licensing and then able to go on to a bachelor’s degree in nursing if desired.

• Cost per year: in-state $3,556 / out-of-state $5,980
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing

12. West Virginia Northern Community Colleges – Wheeling, Martinsville, Weirton

All three campuses are part of the West Virginia Northern Community College system and provide a solid entry-level training program for nursing at the junior college level. Once graduated, students are fully ready to pursue their first licensing and hit the work world in a medical facility.

• Cost per year: $4,309
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate degree in Nursing

13. BridgeValley Community & Technical College

Providing the South Charleston area with trade and skill education, the South Charleston BridgeValley Community & Technical College also includes among its programs a 2-year associate degree in nursing for entry-level training. Students are providing both a general education college degree requirement set as well as basic nursing training to be able to achieve initial licensing and work capability. The school has two paths: the standard associate degree and the LPN to RN approach. They even have the state’s only Paramedic-to-RN Program.

• Cost per year: in-state $3,082 / out-of-state $8,764
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, LPN to RN

14. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Providing students access to an associate degree in nursing, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is fully capable of training students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Students are taught technical training along with an ethical approach to respect the value and dignity of patients.

• Cost per year: in-state $3,864 / out-of-state $6,984
• Private or Public: Public
• Programs: Associate in Nursing

15. West Virginia Junior College

Based on Morgantown, West Virginia Junior College is one of the most affordable nursing schools in WV as well as a gateway to transfer to a four-year university. The junior college provides an associate degree in nursing with solid training in critical thinking under pressure as well as textbook theory and lab work. By the time students graduate from their two-year training, they will be ready to either go directly into licensing and the world of work or move on further for a bachelor’s in nursing. The junior college has accreditation from the ABHES as well as the state nursing board.

• Cost per year: $13,110 (including fees)
• Private or Public: Private
• Programs: Associate in Nursing, LPN-ADN

Methodology

West Virginia has a solid stable of schools, especially those geared for producing entry-level ready nursing graduates all over the state. This is part of a larger effort to help improve the number of trained nurses in West Virginia where the state is realizing a shortage in skilled staffing and ready hires for the medical field. The above nursing schools in WV are rated in meeting bachelor degree requirements, cost of tuition, and degree level from bachelor’s to associate degree programs. If you want to find out more information regarding a specific school or program, please contact us. We’ll be glad to help you find more specific details about a given school and related training information.