Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private school located in Buckhannon. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and students, including those earning a BSN, must take some religious courses as part of the curriculum.

The program boasts a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers a rigorous curriculum, so admission can be difficult. In addition to the BSN, WV Wesleyan offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a post-graduate FNP certificate, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). 

The American Public University System is a large school that focuses on online education. The online RN-BSN program allows current registered nurses to easily obtain a BSN.

The program is unique and really caters to students by having no entrance exams and no fees for textbooks, ebooks, the initial application, and transfer credit evaluation. Courses in the program last eight weeks, with two courses every semester. Other online options include an MSN and an online RN-MSN, though these also require additional contact hours. 

Based in the small city of Fairmont, Fairmont State University provides students with affordable education, especially if they’re WV residents. Fairmont State has two main nursing programs: Traditional ASN and Traditional BSN. There are also several other pathways, including RN to BSN, School Nurse Certification, LPN to ASN pathway, and a weekend ASN program.

The nursing program has roughly 350 students currently pursuing nursing degrees and over 3,500 graduates. The traditional BSN program recently received accreditation in 2023 and can be completed in eight semesters or less, depending on previous coursework. Therefore, the NCLEX pass rate is reflective of the ASN program.

West Virginia University is a large, comprehensive university system that educates nearly 27,000 students. The main campus in Morgantown serves 24,000 students and offers a variety of nursing programs. The main option is the traditional BSN, which boasts an impressive 100% NCLEX pass rate.

The other two options, the accelerated second-degree BSN and online RN-BSN, have similarly strong outcomes. WVU also offers an MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. in nursing. Some of the nursing programs are also available on the campuses at WVU satellite campuses, including Beckley, Potomac State, and WVU Tech.

Shepherd University is located just a short drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It provides higher education to West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Of course, only West Virginia residents receive in-state tuition.

The two main nursing programs available are the BSN and an RN-BSN. The BSN has strong outcomes, including a high NCLEX pass rate for recent grads. In Fall 2022, the RN-to-BSN program moved entirely online, which is exciting for nurses looking for flexibility. Courses can be completed online in as little as two semesters if full-time. 

As the oldest institution of higher education in West Virginia, West Liberty University has plenty of experience providing quality education. This includes educating nurses, as West Liberty has one of the best nursing programs in the region.

Undergraduate nursing options include a traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN, and an accelerated second-degree BSN. Students complete clinicals in WV, but the location near Pittsburgh, PA, and Steubenville, OH, opens doors for a nursing career outside of West Virginia. 

With just over 1,100 students, Wheeling Jesuit University, also known as Wheeling University, is among the smallest schools in West Virginia with a nursing program. However, the small student body size helps give Wheeling University an impressive 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and the average class has just 15 students.

Wheeling University has three undergraduate nursing programs: a traditional BSN, a 16-month second-degree BSN, and an online RN-BSN. Wheeling University offers a health services management certificate and a nursing management certificate. 

Located on the banks of the Kanawha River in Charleston, the University of Charleston offers a prime location with views of the state capitol building. As a private school, the roughly 2,100 students in attendance don’t receive in-state tuition, though many students are able to secure financial aid.

The University of Charleston offers two nursing degrees: a traditional BSN and an online RN-BSN. Clinicals through the undergraduate program include rotations in trauma centers, a children’s hospital, and more. Admission into the BSN program can be competitive, but the results are excellent. The traditional BSN program also boosts an impressive 1:8-10 faculty-to-student ratio. 

Founded in 1904, Davis & Elkins College is a small, private school that enrolls less than 800 students. While students don’t have access to in-state tuition, about 90% of students receive some form of financial aid.

Currently, Davis & Elkins has several nursing programs: an ADN, an online RN-BSN, a traditional BSN, and an accelerated BSN. The College was recently named one of the Best Colleges in the South for 2022-2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Nursing students can expect to receive a quality education.

Founded in 1837, Marshall University has grown over the years to become one of the most important public schools in West Virginia. Marshall teaches nearly 8,000 undergraduate students, including 1,792 out-of-state students.

The School of Nursing offers a pre-licensure BSN and an online RN-BSN, as well as multiple graduate programs. The pre-licensure BSN is available at both Huntington and Pt. Pleasant campus, both of which saw impressive NCLEX pass rates. Pre-licensure clinical settings include Cabell Huntington Hospital, Hershel Woody Williams Veterans Administration Medical Center, and St. Mary’s Medical Center.