University of Charleston vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Charleston in Charleston, WV with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Charleston is located in Charleston, WV (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Charleston 15:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

University of Charleston vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Charleston or WVU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than University of Charleston ($15,169 vs. $20,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 15.8% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,280 vs. $14,582).
• University of Charleston is 234.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $23,696 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at University of Charleston than at West Virginia University (about $5,192 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at West Virginia University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 111.4% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($26,132 vs. $12,363).

University of Charleston vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Charleston or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and University of Charleston.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 50 points higher than at University of Charleston (1070).
• Incoming WVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Charleston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Charleston 985/1160; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Charleston 19/23; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Charleston - Test-free; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at University of Charleston vs. 24.8% at WVU.

University of Charleston vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Charleston and WVU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than University of Charleston's (51%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than University of Charleston graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $3,501 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($211 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Charleston students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.