UnisHub University Compass

West Liberty University (WLU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About West Liberty University

Perched on a hilltop with wide Ohio Valley views, West Liberty University is known for hands-on teaching and a close, approachable vibe. Academics span the sciences, health fields, business, education, and the arts. Students use well equipped labs and studios, a lively library, and a student success center for tutoring, advising, counseling, and accessibility support.

Campus life feels friendly and busy. Clubs, theater and music, intramurals, and easy access to trails and rivers keep weekends full. Game days pull town and campus together. Career prep shows up in internships and mentoring tied to regional employers, with nearby Wheeling offering opportunities. The hilltop setting, tight knit culture, and homecoming on the hill give it a steady, lived in spirit.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
208 University Drive, West Liberty, West Virginia, 26074, USA
Unit ID
237932

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Campus Setting
Located in a fringe rural area (within 5 miles of urban area)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Medium programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$8,732
Tuition $8,716 + Fee $16
Out-of-State
$17,116
Tuition $17,100 + Fee $16
Student Profile
Total Students 2,348
Undergraduate 1,578
Graduate/Other 770
Male: 891 Female: 1,457
Applications
Total Applicants 2,077
Admitted 1,498
Enrolled 419
Acceptance: 72.1% Yield: 28%
Staff
Total Staff 443
Full-time 293
Part-time 150
Full-time: 66.1% Part-time: 33.9%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

West Liberty University (WLU) offers 35 degree programs across 15 major academic fields, graduating approximately 540 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (6 programs, 167 graduates), Business (4 programs, 128 graduates), Education (5 programs, 83 graduates), Biological Sciences (1 programs, 51 graduates) and Kinesiology (1 programs, 26 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Health (6 programs, 167 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Dental Hygiene 63
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0602
Physician Assistant 36
Master's
51.0912
Registered Nursing 32
Bachelor's
51.3801
Communication Sciences and Disorders 20
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0201
Art Therapy 11
Bachelor's
Master's
51.2301
Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology 5
Bachelor's
51.1005
Business (4 programs, 128 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 95
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0201
Marketing Management 17
Bachelor's
52.1401
Accounting 8
Bachelor's
52.0301
Management Information Systems 8
Bachelor's
52.1201
Education (5 programs, 83 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Secondary Education and Teaching 26
Bachelor's
13.1205
Elementary Education 24
Bachelor's
13.1202
Educational Leadership and Administration 19
Master's
13.0401
General Education 7
Bachelor's
13.0101
Multiple Level Teacher Education 7
Master's
13.1206
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 51 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 51
Bachelor's
Master's
26.0101
Kinesiology (1 programs, 26 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 26
Bachelor's
Master's
31.0505
Arts (4 programs, 17 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Design and Visual Communications 9
Bachelor's
50.0401
Graphic Design 3
Bachelor's
50.0409
Theatre Arts 3
Bachelor's
50.0501
Music 2
Bachelor's
50.0901
Security & Safety (2 programs, 15 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies 10
Bachelor's
43.0104
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy 5
Bachelor's
43.0404
Psychology (2 programs, 13 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 10
Bachelor's
42.0101
Clinical Psychology 3
Master's
42.2801
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Studies 9
Bachelor's
24.0102
Public Services (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Work 8
Bachelor's
44.0701

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at West Liberty University (WLU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
890 - 1125
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 470 - 585
Median: 520
Math 420 - 540
Median: 490
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
18 - 24
25th-75th percentile
English 16 - 24
Median: 21
Math 16 - 23
Median: 19

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$24,550
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$32,934
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$8,732
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$17,116
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$10,694 (on) / $7,572 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,140
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,984 (on) / $4,702 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$4,106
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$11,880
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$14,220
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

22%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$6,547
Avg. Loan
$10,220
Avg. Federal Loan
$6,818
Additional
Students with Any Grant
349
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
264
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
174
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$5,590
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

61%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
69%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$28,311 – $61,253
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$28,311 (25th %) $61,253 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $43,296
Median Salary After 6 Years
$36,822
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$43,296
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
50.3%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
61.6%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$23,250
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 40.6%
Middle 52.0%
High 60.8%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 53.1%
Independent 36.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about West Liberty University (WLU)

How much does it cost to attend West Liberty University (WLU)?

The annual tuition at West Liberty University (WLU) is $8,732 for in-state students and $17,116 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $24,550 for in-state students and $32,934 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,694 (on) / $7,572 (off) and books and supplies $1,140.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does West Liberty University offer?

West Liberty University (WLU) offers 35 academic programs across 15 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (6 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (5 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (1 programs)
  • Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (1 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for West Liberty University?

West Liberty University (WLU) has an 72.1% acceptance rate and a 28% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 2,077
  • Students admitted: 1,498
  • Students enrolled: 419

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at West Liberty University?

West Liberty University (WLU) provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,547 and average loans of $10,220.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,012
  • State/Local grants: $3,484
  • Institutional grants: $5,590
  • Federal loans: $6,818

The university supports 349 students with grants and 264 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for West Liberty University graduates?

West Liberty University (WLU) graduates earn a median salary of $36,822 after 6 years and $43,296 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $28,311 (25th percentile) to $61,253 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $68,400 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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