Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia's best nursing schoolsThere are a number of nursing schools in West Virginia that are here to help people like you start successful careers. Whether you live in Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown, or somewhere else in the state, you have access to a great education that you need for this career. Nurses in West Virginia are always in high demand, so you can enjoy stress-free job security with the right training behind you. Here is some more information about what nursing schools can do for you.

How to Become a Nurse in West Virginia

To become a nurse in West Virginia, you need to get a degree. The degree you choose to earn should be based on the type of job you want to have. Once you know which degree best suits your goals, you can start looking through nursing schools in West Virginia. Just make sure the school you go to is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). These boards look over individual nursing programs to make sure they fit the standards of today’s nursing jobs.

Here is a look at some of the most common degree programs for nurses in West Virginia:

  • Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years

After you get through college, you can get a license or certification to work as a nurse. This will require you to take a test related to certain tasks in nursing, like administering medications or taking vital signs. You may learn more about nurse licensure in West Virginia by contacting the West Virginia Board of Nursing

Tuition for West Virginia Nursing Schools

West Virginia has decent tuition rates overall, but some schools charge more money than others. You need to find a school that offers a degree related to your nursing career, and then you can look for financial aid to help you pay for it. The chart below shows average tuition rates in West Virginia based on data collected by the College Board.

  • Public Two Year College: $3,096 per year
  • Public Four Year University: $6,251 per year
  • Private Four Year University: $23,908 per year

Job Prospects for West Virginia Nurses

The job market for nurses in West Virginia is fantastic. No matter what type of nurse you choose to be, you should be able to find work in WV. To get an idea of how much money you can earn with each job, check out the statistics below. The data comes from the BLS.

  • Nursing Assistant: $22,180 per year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $34,110 per year
  • Registered Nurse: $54,880 per year
  • Nurse Practitioner: $84,260 per year

Look over the many nursing schools in West Virginia today and you can find the one that is perfect for you.


Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is located in Montgomery, West Virginia, and was founded in 1985 as a preparatory school. The university currently has two campuses (Montgomery & Beckley) but will eventually operate entirely from the Beckley Campus. The school has a rich history for providing students with academic excellence. The universities courses are affordable and the average class size is small (12:1 ration between student and instructor) allowing for more personal time and instruction.

  • Location: Beckley, WV
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Annual Tuition: $7,992
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,200
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • West Virginia University Institute of Technology Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, PhD (Doctoral)

West Virginia University

West Virginia University delivers is dedicated and committed to providing students with high quality education that will allow students to discover and become innovators in their chosen field. WVU ranks within the top 100 universities in the nation, and its undergraduate rankings is one of the best according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2017.

  • Location: Morgantown, WV
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Annual Tuition: $7,992
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • West Virginia University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, PhD (Doctoral)

Fairmont State University

Fairmont State University is located in Fairmont, West Virginia, and is part of WV’s growing technology corridor. The university’s history is rooted in academic excellence with students being the university’s first priority. FSU was founded in 1865 as one of the first private normal schools in WV. The university currently offers 80 bachelors degree programs and five graduate degree programs for students to choose from.

  • Location: Fairmont, WV
  • Tuition (12+ credit hours): $3,475
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 4,575
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Fairmont State University Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, LPN-to-RN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Nurse Educator

Marshall University

Marshall University is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and was established as a school of learning in 1837. The school is committed to changing their student body lives and to help them to be inspired to lead extraordinary futures. The student body at Marshall enjoys our smaller class sizes, affordable tuition costs, availability of intensive advising from instructors, and the schools exceptional student resources.

  • Location: Huntington, WV
  • Tuition: $332/credit hour
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 13,631
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Marshall University Nursing Programs: RN-to-BSN, BS/BSN, MSN, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner

University of Charleston

University of Charleston was established in 1888 and has expanded its resources to reach more students across the nation and throughout the world. The university’s campus atmosphere and course curriculum fosters the following from its student body: creativity, increase in communication skills, critical thinking, genuine inquiry, and ethical practice in all aspects of their student lives. The schools nursing program, Bachelor of Science (BSN), will help potential nursing professionals to become a registered nurse and to obtain the necessary knowledge, skills, and compassion to care for patients.

  • Location: Charleston, WV
  • Tuition: $380/credit hour
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,200
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • University of Charleston Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN

Alderson-Broaddus College

Alderson Broaddus College which is located in Philippi, West Virginia has been provided excellence in education for over 144 years; however, Alderson Broaddus University was not established until 1932 when two colleges merged as one: Broaddus University and Alderson College. These university are rich in Christian heritage and provide students with faith-based learning accompanied with liberal arts learning. Students who are looking to obtain a nursing degree will have the opportunity to learn essential skills, knowledge, and empathy to be able to provide quality patient care. Students who graduate from the nursing program will be prepared as a generalist in nursing making it possible for theme to provide leadership in multiple health related organizations: hospitals, emergency care, intensive care, home hospice, and private doctor offices.

  • Location: Philippi, WV
  • Tuition (12-18 credit hours): $25,140
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,052
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Alderson-Broaddus College Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN

Bluefield State College

Bluefield State College is located in Bluefield, West Virginia. The college originally started out to establish a Colored Institutition in 1985, and officially in 1943 the school was named Bluefield State College. The school is now a four year college that offers excellence in professional and technical programs. Their School of Nursing and Allied Health offers associate and bachelor degree programs.

  • Location: Bluefield, WV
  • Tuition (12 credit hours): $3,204
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 2,500
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Bluefield State College Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN

Davis & Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, West Virginia, and opened its doors to students in 1904. The school was founded by two senators who were part of the company building the first railroad into this area. The college’s nursing program is dedicated to making sure student are able to function competently as nursing professionals. This means that the school will help its student to think critically as they make decisions that will benefit the patients and their place of employment.

  • Location: Elkins, WV
  • Tuition (annually full-time): $19,800
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 700+
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Davis & Elkins College Programs: Associate

Shepherd College

Shepherd University has been established as an institution of higher learning for more than 145 years. The university is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The school offers degrees in various schools of learning: business, nursing, teacher education, social and natural sciences, and other career-oriented programs. The university recognizes that some students are looking for any particular program of learning, but to advance their current knowledge and skills in their current professions.

  • Location: Shepherdstown, WV
  • Tuition (per semester): $3,585
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Shepherd University Nursing Programs: Associate, RN to BSN, BS/BSN, MSN, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Southern West Virginia Community Technical College

Southern West Virginia Community Technical College is located in Mt. Gay, West Virginia, and offers excellent academic learning. The school is dedicated to preparing its students for all state exams, and to make sure graduates will be competent healthcare professionals as they learn essential skills of leadership, patient care, and teamwork.

  • Location: Mt. Gay, WV
  • Tuition (per academic term): $1,668
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 2,400
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Southern West Virginia Community Technical College Nursing Programs: Associate

West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia Northern Community College, located in Wheeling, West Virginia has been committed to offering higher academic learning, and to assist students in reaching their academic and professional goals. The associate degrees offered are able to transfer to four-year institutions seamlessly. The school’s mission, “is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy.” (Source: http://www.wvncc.edu/about/mission-statement/31)

  • Location: Wheeling, WV
  • Tuition (12+ credit hours): $1,572
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 3,000
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • West Virginia Northern Community College Nursing Programs: Associate
  • www.wvncc.edu

West Virginia Wesleyan College

West Virginia Wesleyan College, located in Buckhannon, West Virginia is able to offer a unique learning experience for its students. The offered programs will allows students to increase upon and to develop skills and values necessary for their chosen field of study. West Virginia Wesleyan College mission is to challenge “students to a life-long commitment to develop their intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and leadership potential and to set and uphold standards of excellence.” (Source: https://www.wvwc.edu/about/missionstatement) The School of Nursing at WVWC is dedicated to help students show that they are competent, knowledgeable, caring, compassionate, and safe practitioners that are able to think critically, to communicate effectively, and to develop the compassion and empathy in proper caring of patients.

  • Location: Buckhannon, WV
  • Tuition (12-17 credit hours): $14,287
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,500+
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Degree Programs: BS/BSN
  • www.wvwc.edu

Wheeling Jesuit University

Wheeling Jesuit University, located in Wheeling, West Virginia continues the long Jesuit tradition of offering academic excellence that continues to serve students and the community of Wheeling. The school’s programs make it possible for student to reach their academic, personal, and professional goals.

  • Location: Wheeling, WV
  • Tuition (full-time per semester): $13,500
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,370
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • Wheeling Jesuit University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner
  • www.wju.edu

West Virginia University

West Virginia University, located at Pakersburg, West Virginia, and was established in 1961 when the school doors were opened to 104 students. The mission of the university is rooted in providing affordable and life-changing opportunities that will have long-term advantages. The nursing programs aim to maintain this mission in their educational curriculum also.

  • Location: Pakersburg, WV
  • Tuition (full-time per semester): $13,500
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg Nursing Programs: Associate
  • www.wvup.edu

B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing, Reynolds Memorial Hospital

B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing is part of Reynolds Memorial Hospital and offers individuals with a high school degree, high school diploma, some college, or desiring to change their career to pursue academic studies to become a nurse practitioner. Students are able to obtain a nursing degree within one full year of school. The courses offer classroom and hands-on clinical experiences in learning. The school is located in Charleston, West Virginia.

  • Location: Charleston, WV
  • Tuition (full-time per semester): $2,935
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing Programs: Practical Nursing
  • www.reynoldsmemorial.com

St. Mary’s School Of Nursing

The career goal of the Nursing Program at St. Mary’s School of Nursing is to become a Registered Nurse (RN). The Cooperative ASN Program at the school is provided through a partnership of St. Mary’s School of Nursing and Marshall University. The length of program is two academic years, and the degree awarded is Associate of Science in Nursing from Marshall University.

  • Location: Huntington, WV
  • Tuition (full-time per semester): $13,500
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Degree Programs: Associate, RN
  • www.st-marys.org

West Liberty University

West Liberty University, located in West Liberty, West Viriginia, and was established as an institution of higher learning in 1837 (the oldest school of higher academic learning in West Virginia). The school’s mission is to make sure higher educational opportunities are offered to students seeking undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees to better their skills and talents.

  • Location: West Liberty, WV
  • Tuition (full-time per semester): $3,519
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • West Liberty University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN
  • go.westliberty.edu

Garnet Career Center

Garnet Career Center is located in Charleston, West Virginia. The school’s doors have been opened since 1929, which was originally a senior high school. The school’s main focus is to provide courses that give students, typically adult learners, the opportunity to learn a skill or trade for them to seek new employment. The following career and technical programs are offered: Licensed Practical Nursing, Business Education, and Automotive Technology. The staff’s focus is to make sure their students are learning essential skills and positive workforce attributes.

  • Location: Charleston, WV
  • Tuition: $5,283
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Garnet Career Center Nursing Programs: LPN
  • kcs.kana.k12.wv.us

Charleston Area Medical Center – School of Nurse Anesthesia

Charleston Area Medical Center’s (CAMC) School of Nursing Anesthesia was organized in 1972 when two hospitals merged. The schools nursing program has been affiliated with Marshall University since the merge. The School of Nursing Anesthesia’s course curriculum was jointly developed by Lewis College and the hospitals health and education research institute. Students who fulfill the schools requirements will become respected health care leaders as they manifest skills and leadership that result from the school high quality instruction.

  • Location: Charleston, WV
  • Tuition: $5,283
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Charleston Area Medical Center Nursing Programs: Nurse Anesthetist
  • www.camcinstitute.org