Best test-optional colleges in West Virginia
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in West Virginia13 schools
13 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in West Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions data).
- 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
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public#3 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 65% graduate
- 2
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV · Public#4 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 60% graduate
- 3
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV · Private nonprofit#5 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 46% graduate
- 4
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV · PublicTop 13% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 33% graduate
- 5
Marshall University
Huntington, WV · PublicTop 9% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 51% graduate
- 6
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV · Private nonprofit#8 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 57% graduate
- 7
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 51% graduate
- 8
Bethany College
Bethany, WV · Private nonprofit#11 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 47% graduate
- 9
Wheeling University
Wheeling, WV · Private nonprofit#14 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 23% graduate
- 10
- 11
Bluefield State University
Bluefield, WV · Public#16 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 37% graduate
- 12
Davis & Elkins College
Elkins, WV · Private nonprofit#18 in West Virginia
- SAT or ACT not required
- 39% graduate
- 13
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV · PublicTop 19% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 39% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University | $15,634 | $22,500 | $55,939 | 65% |
| West Liberty University | $15,366 | $23,250 | $43,296 | 60% |
| University of Charleston | $22,107 | $19,500 | $55,774 | 46% |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | $9,337 | $22,500 | $55,939 | 33% |
| Marshall University | $7,502 | $23,250 | $46,354 | 51% |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College | $18,083 | $27,000 | $51,593 | 57% |
| Shepherd University | $11,363 | $21,600 | $49,358 | 51% |
| Bethany College | $18,605 | $27,000 | $44,512 | 47% |
| Wheeling University | $20,503 | $25,125 | $57,949 | 23% |
| Concord University | $9,966 | $18,900 | $42,703 | 39% |
| Bluefield State University | $13,684 | $18,250 | $38,217 | 37% |
| Davis & Elkins College | $18,273 | $27,000 | $43,411 | 39% |
| West Virginia State University | $11,139 | $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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- Wisconsin 34