Best colleges for communications and journalism in West Virginia
Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for communications and journalism in West Virginia12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in West Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit#1 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 30%
- 2
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public#3 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- 3
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV · Public#4 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B
- 4
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV · Private nonprofit#5 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 43%
- 5
Marshall University
Huntington, WV · PublicTop 9% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- 6
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV · Private nonprofit#8 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 7
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
- 8
Bethany College
Bethany, WV · Private nonprofit#11 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 9
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 23%
- 10
Wheeling University
Wheeling, WV · Private nonprofit#14 in West Virginia
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 48%
- 11
Concord University
Athens, WV · PublicTop 15% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 12
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 47%
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System | About $10,000 | $21,743 | $44,409 | 57% |
| West Virginia University | About $16,000 | $22,500 | $55,939 | 65% |
| West Liberty University | About $15,000 | $23,250 | $43,296 | 60% |
| University of Charleston | About $22,000 | $19,500 | $55,774 | 46% |
| Marshall University | About $8,000 | $23,250 | $46,354 | 51% |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College | About $18,000 | $27,000 | $51,593 | 57% |
| Shepherd University | About $11,000 | $21,600 | $49,358 | 51% |
| Bethany College | About $19,000 | $27,000 | $44,512 | 47% |
| Fairmont State University | About $9,000 | $21,000 | $46,857 | 44% |
| Wheeling University | About $21,000 | $25,125 | $57,949 | 23% |
| Concord University | About $10,000 | $18,900 | $42,703 | 39% |
| West Virginia State University | About $11,000 | $23,338 | $40,492 | 39% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 21
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 9
- Arkansas 18
- California 70
- Colorado 13
- Connecticut 19
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 7
- Florida 39
- Georgia 38
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 48
- Indiana 39
- Iowa 25
- Kansas 21
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 18
- Maine 6
- Maryland 18
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 36
- Minnesota 29
- Mississippi 14
- Missouri 38
- Montana 4
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 3
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 23
- New Mexico 4
- New York 82
- North Carolina 42
- North Dakota 8
- Ohio 59
- Oklahoma 20
- Oregon 17
- Pennsylvania 90
- Puerto Rico 12
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 25
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 29
- Texas 64
- Utah 8
- Vermont 7
- Virginia 34
- Washington 19
- Wisconsin 27