Campus Life in Almost Heaven
West Virginia's colleges blend academic excellence with breathtaking mountain settings — perfect for campus visits, tours, sports events, or combining education with adventure travel.
West Virginia's universities are set among some of the most scenic landscapes in the eastern United States. Whether you're planning a campus visit, alumni travel, attending a Mountaineers or Thundering Herd game, or scouting schools for college tours, WV's academic institutions are worth a dedicated visit — and the surrounding countryside makes every trip extraordinary.
Public Research University
Flagship Institution · Morgantown, WV
West Virginia's flagship land-grant university and only R1 doctoral research institution. Situated on the hills above the Monongahela River, WVU is home to the Mountaineers — one of college athletics' most passionate fan bases. The university is famous for its unique Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system connecting its three campuses. With over 200 degree programs and a vibrant college town, Morgantown is consistently ranked among America's best college towns.
Public Research University
Major Public University · Huntington, WV
Named for U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall, this Huntington institution has an inspiring story of resilience — the 1970 Marshall University plane crash and the community's recovery inspired the acclaimed film "We Are Marshall." Today it's a dynamic university known for medicine, aviation, forensic science, and its passionate Thundering Herd athletics program. Huntington itself is WV's second-largest city with a rich arts and food scene.
Public · Liberal Arts
Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, WV
Set in WV's oldest town, Shepherd is an intimate liberal arts institution in the scenic Eastern Panhandle. Just minutes from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Potomac River, the campus blends historic limestone architecture with a vibrant arts and music scene. Perfect for prospective students drawn to a close-knit academic community.
Public University
Fairmont, Marion County, WV
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Monongalia Valley, Fairmont State is a comprehensive public university known for its strong programs in engineering technology, aviation, nursing, and teacher education. The surrounding Fairmont community offers access to Coopers Rock State Forest and proximity to both Morgantown and Clarksburg.
Public Liberal Arts
Athens, Mercer County, WV
Nestled in the rolling hills of southern WV near Bluefield, Concord University is a beautiful liberal arts campus known for its warm community atmosphere and strong programs in education, business, and the social sciences. The campus sits close to Pipestem State Park — one of WV's most dramatic state parks with a stunning gorge tramway.
HBCU · Public
Bluefield, Mercer County, WV
One of West Virginia's two Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Bluefield State has a proud legacy of educational access and community service. Today it serves a predominantly commuter student body with strong programs in engineering technology, business, and nursing. The Bluefield area straddles the WV–Virginia border amid scenic Appalachian ridges.
HBCU · Land-Grant
Institute, Kanawha County, WV
West Virginia's other HBCU is also a historic land-grant institution, located just minutes from Charleston (the state capital). WV State has a distinguished history in STEM education and serves as a hub of Appalachian African American heritage. The campus sits on the Kanawha River with easy access to Charleston's culture, cuisine, and the State Capitol dome.
Private University
Charleston, Kanawha County, WV
A private, career-focused institution on the Kanawha River, the University of Charleston is renowned for its pharmacy (PharmD), physician assistant, and health sciences programs. Small class sizes and a personalized approach make it a standout for health-career-oriented students. Charleston's vibrant food, arts, and outdoor scene make it an excellent college city.
Private Liberal Arts
Elkins, Randolph County, WV
Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Highlands, Davis & Elkins is a Presbyterian liberal arts college surrounded by some of WV's most spectacular scenery. Students here have the Monongahela National Forest as their backyard — access to Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods, and Seneca Rocks within an hour's drive. Known for outdoor recreation, music, and hospitality programs.
Private Methodist
Buckhannon, Upshur County, WV
A charming United Methodist liberal arts college in central West Virginia known for its beautiful brick campus, strong nursing and physician assistant programs, and Division II athletics. Buckhannon hosts the famous Strawberry Festival each May, drawing visitors from across the region to this classic Appalachian college town.
Private Liberal Arts
Bethany, Brooke County, WV
One of WV's oldest and most historic colleges, Bethany was founded in 1840 by Alexander Campbell. Its National Historic Landmark campus features stunning 19th-century stone architecture and sits above Wheeling Creek in the Northern Panhandle. A genuinely beautiful campus with a long tradition of liberal arts education and close proximity to Pittsburgh, PA.
West Virginia's community and technical colleges provide affordable, career-focused education in every region of the state.
Montgomery & South Charleston, WV. Strong in engineering technology, healthcare, and information technology. Serves the Kanawha Valley metro area.
Martinsburg, WV. Eastern Panhandle's primary community college. Healthcare, business, and trades programs with a rapidly growing student body.
Lewisburg, Summersville & Beckley, WV. Serving southern WV with career and technical programs across multiple campuses near the New River Gorge region.
Fairmont, WV. Strong aviation maintenance, health sciences, and technical programs. Connected to Fairmont State University's campus.
Combine your college tour with the best that each region has to offer — make it a full adventure trip.
Fall semester (September–November) offers stunning foliage and the full college atmosphere. Spring open houses (April–May) are ideal for prospective students. Avoid exam weeks and holiday breaks.
WVU Mountaineers football at Mountaineer Field is a bucket-list experience. Marshall Thundering Herd games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium draw passionate crowds. Both offer unforgettable college football atmospheres.
Every WV campus is within an hour of major outdoor attractions. Visit WVU and hike Coopers Rock. Tour Shepherd then kayak the Shenandoah. Stay at Davis & Elkins and backpack Dolly Sods the next day.
Morgantown (WVU) has an incredible downtown restaurant and bar scene. Shepherdstown is one of WV's most charming small towns. Lewisburg (near Concord) is frequently rated one of America's "coolest small towns."
Most campuses are accessible via I-79 (Morgantown/Fairmont), I-64 (Huntington/Charleston), or I-81 (Shepherdstown). Morgantown has Morgantown Municipal Airport. Amtrak's Cardinal line stops in Huntington and Charleston.
Morgantown has full hotel options downtown. Shepherdstown has charming historic B&Bs. For rural campuses like Davis & Elkins or Concord, look at state park lodges for an authentic WV experience alongside your campus visit.