Is West Virginia University a Good School?

Some students want to earn a college degree necessary to meet their career goals.

But some want to work on a degree and have fun as well.

Party schools!

They are excellent institutions of higher education for degree-seeking students whose priorities include having a lively social life and attending vibrant get-togethers.

One of the biggest party schools in the United States is West Virginia University.

However, besides being great for partygoers, WVU is also ideal for students interested in research and academic programs such as engineering, computer science, nursing, and business.

It has online programs, too, for busy adults who wish to further their educational credentials or careers.

Number One in Various Categories

There are many degree-granting institutions and only so much space on your college list.

Checking out college rankings, particularly by some of the most reputable ones, helps simplify the selection process by allowing you to determine which schools shine in categories you deem essential.

It’s Great for Veterans, Says US News

WVU is ranked by US News #216 out of 436 national universities and #116 in Top Public Schools.

Are you a veteran or considered a dependent of one?

Then you will be happy to learn that US News says that WVU is #153 in Best Colleges for Veterans — it’s military-friendly, serving 1,000+ veterans, military personnel, and their family members.

The following undergraduate programs also have US News rankings:

• Business
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Engineering
• Nursing
• Psychology

The Top University in Virginia

WVU has plenty of #1s as far as Niche college rankings go.

For instance, it’s at the topmost on the list of the following categories:

• Best Colleges in West Virginia
• Colleges with the Best Academics in West Virginia
• Best Test Optional Colleges in West Virginia
• Top Public Universities in West Virginia

There are others in various categories.

However, I believe it’s best to mention those as I discuss matters about WVU that correlate with them, such as campus diversity, student life, athletics, etc. — so keep reading!

Some of WVU’s undergraduate programs Niche ranks highly include:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Criminal Justice
• Environmental Science
• Accounting
• Finance
• Communications
• Education
• Engineering

A Fun and Vibrant Campus

WVU is in the green and charming city of Morgantown in West Virginia.

It is the flagship institution of the entire WVU System, with more than 26,860 students going to it, according to the school’s most recent Common Data Set (CDS) report.

Among its attendees, 79% are undergraduates — 22% are first-time, first-year students.

The campus is 2,800 acres big.

If you love seeing trees and breathing in fresh air, you will surely be happy to learn that WVU is included in the most recent Green Colleges listing by The Princeton Review.

Lots of Students From Other States

Culturally, WVU is a diverse school. Around 54% of its students are out-of-state.

In terms of race or ethnicity, not so much. There are more whites than any other student on campus around — the majority of the entire undergraduate population consists of white individuals.

Here’s a breakdown of attendees (undergraduates only) based on racial or ethnic background:

Race/Ethnicity	Percentage of Students
White	77%
Non-resident aliens	9%
Black or African American	4%
Hispanic or Latino	4%
Two or more races	4%
Asian	1%
American Indian or Alaska Native	<1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	<1%
Unknown	<1%

From time to time, WVU holds various on-campus events and activities that broaden its students’ minds and introduce them to different cultures and belief systems.

The following diversity-related offices host them:

• Center for Black Culture
• Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• LGBTQ+ Center

I love West Virginia University! It has such a variety of classes, professors, clubs and even people. They find a way to make evryone feel welcome, and feel they have a voice. My experience with WVU has been amazing so far. They have great events for the students, along with amazing ways to bring everyone together and make friends. If I were to have something changed or worked on, it would be the PRT or a better way of transportation between the Evansdale and downtown campus, definitely since, the PRT is not very reliable.

Niche.com

On-Campus Living: A Requirement Among First-Years

All freshmen students going to WVU must live on campus.

Here are the different room options available:

• Single rooms
• Double rooms
• Triple rooms
• Single suites
• Double suites

Each room includes the usual, from desks to dressers and from beds to high-speed internet.

As expected, just because students have just started their undergraduate journey doesn’t necessarily mean they have no choice but to live in WVU’s dorms — there are exceptions to the rule.

Here are some of the things that allow you to choose to live elsewhere:

• Commuting and living with parents or guardians
• Residing in contiguous counties
• Married
• With a child
• Transfer student
• Veteran

Athletic Life as a Mountaineer

West Virginia University has 18 varsity teams, and they’re known as the Mountaineers.

They used to compete in the Big East Conference until WVU got an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference. The said athletic conference is Irving, Texas-based and, despite the name, has 14 different member institutions.

Here are the sports where the Mountaineers stand out the best:

• Basketball
• Football
• Soccer
• Rifle

You can be a student-athlete in your own right by participating in WVU Club Sports.

Every club has an advisor (a teacher, staff member, or community member) to offer guidance and ensure the program’s success through student interest, participation, and leadership.

Here are some of the clubs that pique my curiosity and maybe yours, too:

• Competitive Cheer
• Cycling Club
• Fishing Club
• Hip Hop Dance Team
• Outdoor Adventure Club
• Paintball Club
• Powerlifting Club
• Ultimate Club
• Waterski and Wakeboard

If It’s Party That You Want, It’s WVU That You Need

Do you love parties?

Do you love alcohol?

Do you love parties with alcohol?

I’m 100% sure you will be over the moon to learn that Niche ranks WVU #11 in Top Party Schools in America and #1 in Top Party Schools in West Virginia.

But it doesn’t stop there — it’s also included in a couple of The Princeton Review’s lists:

• #1 in Lots of Beer
• #4 in Lots of Hard Liquor

WVU has a large party culture that overshadows its academics, but the actual academics are great if you are not swallowed by the party culture.

Niche.com

Based on Niche polls, around 40% of respondents say there are plenty of raging parties almost every night, and about 27% say that students party for whatever reason they can find.

So, whether you find soirees distracting or you can’t say no to alcohol, it’s a must to consider that WVU is a massive party school, and it can impact your academic performance if you’re not careful.

Academics at a Formerly Agricultural School

West Virginia University has a 77% acceptance rate.

But don’t let that high figure fool you — the average GPA of those who successfully get in is 3.7, and nearly a quarter of those from high schools that use a ranking system graduated in the top 10% of their class.

Meanwhile, their test scores range from 1000 to 1220 (SAT) and 20 to 26 (ACT).

WVU, which used to be the Agricultural College of West Virginia, is a test-optional school.

However, it’s worth pointing out that, among admitted students, 57% submitted their SAT scores, and 65% submitted their ACT scores — but WVU makes it clear that you won’t be penalized if you don’t submit yours.

Choose a Major or Two

If there’s an area of concentration in your mind, WVU probably offers it: there are 136 majors to choose from.

Some of the most popular majors include:

• Biology
• Business
• Communication
• Criminology
• Engineering
• Exercise Physiology
• Journalism
• Liberal Arts
• Marketing
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

There’s no need to have a major when applying to WVU.

Once admitted, you can arrange a schedule with the Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success (CLASS) to get help in finding a major that goes well with your interests and professional goals.

Double majoring is welcome, although there are some vital matters you need to know:

• You must get into each major first
• You must fulfill all the requirements of both majors
• You will receive only one undergraduate degree

Earn a Degree Through Hybrid Online Classes

WVU Online: it’s the online campus of West Virginia University.

It offers more than 40 degrees and over 600 courses administered via the web. There’s one for those seeking a college degree for the first time and for those who wish to advance their careers.

Sadly, as of this writing, online bachelor’s degree programs are limited, and some of them are:

• Business Administration
• Child Development and Family Studies
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Health Informatics and Information Management
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Nursing
• Regents Bachelor of Arts

Some classes at WVU Online are hybrid.

For instance, an instructor may send lectures online but administer in-person sessions for discussions, experimentations, and exams. Students may sometimes have to complete pre-work virtually before heading to a physical classroom.

Travel to Study and Earn Credit for Graduation

An international experience is a plus in today’s interconnected and global world.

WVU provides an opportunity to explore another culture through studying abroad. You can grab it to learn a new language, expand your professional network, or gain new perspectives.

It also allows you to take courses not offered in the US or at WVU.

How long you have to be outside the country can range from as short as one week to an entire semester. You may also have to spend one academic year away.

WVU has three standard types of study-abroad programs:

• Affiliate
• Exchange
• Faculty-led

Depending on the program, some of the counties you may be heading to include:

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Fiji
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Lithuania
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Zambia