This guide to psychology schools in West Virginia offers key metrics and rankings on the undergraduate and graduate psychology programs in the state.

Table of Contents

West Virginia Psychology School Facts
Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
Top 8 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
Related Articles

West Virginia Psychology School Facts

  • There are 13 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in West Virginia.1
  • No schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
  • 13 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
  • 3 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
  • No schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.2
  • No schools ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.3
  • No schools ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
  • No schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023.5
  • 10 schools ranked in Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.1


Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in West Virginia

Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.

Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists

  • Bethany College
  • Fairmont State University
  • Marshall University
  • Shepherd University
  • West Liberty University
  • West Virginia University

Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

The following West Virginia schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. Please note that we grouped regional campuses together and included a range for the net price of these schools. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.

  • Marshall University ($9,734 / Grad rate: 49%)
  • Concord University ($10,630 / Grad rate: 42%)
  • West Virginia State University ($10,878 / Grad rate: 34%)
  • Fairmont State University ($10,993 / Grad rate: 48%)
  • West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($11,015 / Grad rate: 36%)
  • Shepherd University ($12,651 / Grad rate: 49%)
  • West Virginia University ($13,691 / Grad rate: 61%)
  • West Liberty University ($14,203 / Grad rate: 61%)
  • Bethany College ($16,844 / Grad rate: 46%)
  • Wheeling University ($19,164 / Grad rate: 32%)1

Top 8 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in West Virginia

This table compares the top 8 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in West Virginia based on a graduation rate above 45% and an annual net price of $22,000 or below. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolGrad Rate*1Accept Rate1Median Debt*6Median Earnings*6Full Price In State1Full Price Out of State1Net Price*1
Marshall University49%96%$23,250$43,564$20,444$31,498$9,734
Fairmont State University48%99%$21,000$38,538$18,030$27,858$10,993
Shepherd University49%96%$21,600$47,268$21,062$31,502$12,651
West Virginia University61%86%$22,500$55,073$20,978$38,186$13,691
West Liberty University61%72%$23,250$41,989$18,736$27,120$14,203
Bethany College46%60%$27,000$45,183$45,845$45,845$16,844
West Virginia Wesleyan College49%95%$27,000$48,086$43,636$43,636$20,093
University of Charleston46%65%$19,500$46,166$42,100$42,100$21,100

*See Table Notes at bottom of page.

Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in West Virginia

This table compares all of West Virginia’s graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.

We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.

SchoolAccreditation7-10Levels OfferedEPPP Pass Rate 2020-2211EPPP # Taking 2020-2211Grad Tuition Per Credit Hour
Marshall UniversityAPA, NASPMA, PsyD93%28$522
West Liberty UniversityMA$510
West Virginia University (Clinical PhD)APAPhD100%15$557
West Virginia University (Counseling PhD)APAPhD81%16$557

*Table Notes:
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2023_dr_rpt_012024.pdf