Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in West Virginia?

Accepted Answer

West Virginia has dozens of accredited nursing programs across community colleges and four-year universities, listed in full on this page. Every school on this page is verified in the federal IPEDS database and carries either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. The map above plots each program's location and the sortable table below shows in-state tuition, program length, and completion rate for direct comparison.

Question 2

Which West Virginia nursing program has the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The West Virginia Board of Examiners for RNs publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved program in the state. Rates fluctuate year to year. Our NCLEX pass rates guide compiles the most recent state-level and top-program data for West Virginia and every other state, updated after each board release. Check the current annual report from West Virginia Board of Examiners for RNs before your final enrollment decision.

Question 3

What is the average cost of nursing school in West Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Public community college ADN programs in West Virginia typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per year for state residents. Public university BSN programs run $8,000 to $15,000 per year in-state and $22,000 to $35,000 per year out-of-state. Private university BSN programs charge $28,000 to $45,000 per year regardless of residency. Institutional aid, state grants, and federal Pell grants substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost for most students.

Question 4

Do West Virginia hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses or require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Most West Virginia hospitals hire ADN registered nurses for medical-surgical, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Larger urban systems and magnet-status facilities increasingly prefer or require a BSN for hospital positions, especially in specialty units like ICU, ER, and OR. If you start at ADN level, plan for an online RN-to-BSN completion within three years of your first job. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for this bridge.

Question 5

How does West Virginia RN licensure work?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a West Virginia Board of Examiners for RNs approved program, apply for RN licensure through West Virginia Board of Examiners for RNs, complete a criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the complete step-by-step process, including timing, fees, and endorsement rules for nurses moving to West Virginia from other states.

Question 6

Is West Virginia part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Accepted Answer

Compact membership varies by state and changes as legislatures act. Once you hold a compact-state RN license, you can practice in any of the 41 other compact states without additional licensure. Check the current status of West Virginia in the Nurse Licensure Compact through West Virginia Board of Examiners for RNs before assuming multi-state privileges. Non-compact states require endorsement application and fees for each additional state you plan to practice in.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in West Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows RN median wages in West Virginia vary significantly by metro area, hospital type, and specialty. Statewide medians typically fall between $65,000 and $90,000 per year. Urban acute care and specialty units pay above the state median. Rural and long-term care settings pay below. Travel nursing contracts in West Virginia commonly pay $2,000 to $2,800 per week. Full salary breakdown by specialty and years of experience is on the nurse salary guide.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to West Virginia residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. West Virginia residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six commonly-available accredited online programs are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students at local West Virginia hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are particularly popular for working nurses in West Virginia who need scheduling flexibility around 12-hour shift work.

Question 9

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a West Virginia nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Nursing programs in West Virginia typically require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in West Virginia offer these prerequisites at low cost and credits transfer directly to state university BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first-choice program.

Question 10

How long does nursing school take in West Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the program type. Practical nurse (LPN) diploma programs run 12 to 18 months. Associate degree (ADN) programs at community colleges run two years. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities take four years. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for working nurses typically take 12 to 24 months of part-time study.


American Public University System	Charles Town, WV	$8,400	Private for-profit	57%
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College	Martinsburg, WV	$4,752	Public	32%
Bluefield State University	Bluefield, WV	$10,648	Public	37%
BridgeValley Community & Technical College	South Charleston, WV	$5,800	Public	34%
Davis & Elkins College	Elkins, WV	$31,820	Private non-profit	39%
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College	Moorefield, WV	$4,722	Public	42%
Fairmont State University	Fairmont, WV	$8,708	Public	44%
Marshall University	Huntington, WV	$9,162	Public	51%
New River Community and Technical College	Beaver, WV	$5,156	Public	36%
Potomac State College of West Virginia University	Keyser, WV	$5,280	Public	31%
Salem University	Salem, WV	$11,900	Private for-profit	20%
Shepherd University	Shepherdstown, WV	$9,056	Public	51%
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College	Logan, WV	$5,136	Public	29%
University of Charleston	Charleston, WV	$33,800	Private non-profit	46%
Valley College-Beckley	Beckley, WV	Not reported	Private non-profit	63%
Valley College-Martinsburg	Martinsburg, WV	Not reported	Private non-profit	66%
West Liberty University	West Liberty, WV	$8,893	Public	60%
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport	Bridgeport, WV	$14,798	Private for-profit	52%
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston	Cross Lanes, WV	$14,798	Private for-profit	60%
West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown	Morgantown, WV	$14,798	Private for-profit	71%
West Virginia Northern Community College	Wheeling, WV	$4,706	Public	33%
West Virginia State University	Institute, WV	$9,570	Public	39%
West Virginia University	Morgantown, WV	$10,104	Public	65%
West Virginia University at Parkersburg	Parkersburg, WV	$4,612	Public	9%
West Virginia University Institute of Technology	Beckley, WV	$8,424	Public	33%
West Virginia Wesleyan College	Buckhannon, WV	$34,090	Private non-profit	57%
Wheeling University	Wheeling, WV	$29,875	Private non-profit	23%

Nursing Programs in West Virginia

All accredited programs in West Virginia

Top-completion nursing programs in West Virginia

West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown

Valley College-Martinsburg

West Virginia University

Valley College-Beckley

West Liberty University

Becoming an RN in West Virginia

Paying for nursing school in West Virginia

Prefer to start online this month? West Virginia residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in West Virginia

Compare programs in nearby states

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