Higher Education

Higher education in West Virginia offers students valuable opportunities to gain a quality education, practical skills, and rewarding career paths while enjoying the state’s supportive and affordable learning environment. Home to respected institutions like West Virginia University (WVU), Marshall University (MU), and a network of private and community colleges, the state offers diverse programs in fields such as healthcare, engineering, business, and the arts. West Virginia’s colleges and universities emphasize small class sizes, hands-on learning, and community engagement, helping students build strong connections with faculty and local employers. Affordable tuition, scholarships, and beautiful campus settings nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains make higher education in West Virginia an excellent choice for students seeking personal growth, academic success, and a bright future.

West Virginia University (WVU) has reached a 10 year high in applications, according to university President Michael T. Benson.

WVU reports 10-year high in applications as graduation, retention rates climb

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University is seeing its most substantial application numbers in a decade, alongside steady gains in student retention and graduation rates, signaling momentum as the flagship institution prepares for commencement and the next incoming class of Mountaineers.WVU President Michael T. Benson shared the update Friday, Dec. 19, during a meeting of … Read more

With roughly 200 students per class, the school is the largest medical school in West Virginia. During the 2024–25 academic year, enrollment in its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program totaled 810 students, according to the report.

W.Va. medical school leads in training doctors who serve rural communities

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A small medical school located in the mountains of southern West Virginia is quietly becoming one of the state’s most effective tools for addressing physician shortages in rural America, according to a new statewide report on health sciences education.The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, based in Lewisburg, a historic town near … Read more

West Virginia University fashion and merchandising experts say staying warm isn’t just about piling on thick layers. It’s about layering smartly. (WVU Photo)

WVU experts say layering, not bulky clothing, keeps you warmer in winter

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As temperatures drop across West Virginia, many people are pulling wool long johns from storage or shopping for high-tech thermal gear designed to keep winter at bay.But West Virginia University fashion and merchandising experts in Morgantown say staying warm isn’t just about piling on thick layers. It’s about layering smartly.Angela Uriyo, assistant … Read more

Woodburn Hall History: Holiday carolers sing outside the entrance to Woodburn Hall.

WVU revives Woodburn Hall lighting, illuminating legacy of higher ed in West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As dusk settles over the Monongahela River valley on December 2, a crowd of students, faculty, alumni, and families will gather at a place where West Virginia University began, where the institution’s history, architecture, and spirit converge. Just after 6:30 p.m., beneath a tower long considered the university’s most recognizable symbol, the lights … Read more

The artificial intelligence ChatGPT platform has evolved from a curiosity to a trusted coworker, according to WVU professor Joshua Meadows.

WVU Professor: After three years, ChatGPT has become a coworker—not a boss

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As ChatGPT turns three, a West Virginia University professor says the artificial intelligence platform has evolved from a curiosity to a trusted coworker that’s reshaping how people work, learn, and communicate at a pace few anticipated. Joshua Meadows, an assistant professor and director of “Data Driven WV” at the WVU John Chambers … Read more

Michael T. Benson highlighted the profound power and potential of WVU during his first State of the University address.

WVU president urges university to ‘think big’ in first State of the University address

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Michael T. Benson, new president of West Virginia University, urged faculty, staff, students, and alumni Monday to “think big” as the university works to strengthen enrollment, expand research, and raise its national profile.Delivering his first State of the University address at the Fitzsimmons Event Hall in the WVU College of Law in … Read more

Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin House at Kenova, West Virginia

Pumpkin Spice and Beyond: WVU expert explains the power of seasonal scents

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As autumn arrives in West Virginia, seasonal scents begin to fill homes — from pumpkin spice and cranberry to pine and gingerbread. A West Virginia University expert says these aromas are more than festive decorations. They can trigger powerful emotional and physical responses.Marian Reven, a registered aromatherapist and clinical assistant professor at … Read more