West Liberty University

Non-profit public

Public

Private

Regional

Founded in 1837 -- more than two decades before West Virginia was admitted into the United States -- West Liberty University is the state's oldest institution of higher education. Today, this public university serves more than 2,500 students each year, both on campus and online. Each semester, WLU offers a wide selection of individual courses online, which are ideal for supplementing an on-campus schedule. Students can also pursue seven programs entirely from a distance. Undergraduate options include a general business bachelor's degree and an RN-to-BSN pathway. Available master's degree disciplines include business administration, criminology, dental hygiene, and biology/zoo science master's -- the only program of its kind in the nation. Zoology students have the option to gain hands-on experience at a collaborating institution. Admission requirements -- including minimum GPAs and prerequisites -- vary by student status and program. Out-of-state students pay higher tuition rates.

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Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

84% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

82% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

62% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:	Considered (not required)	High school transcript:	Required
High school rank:	Recommended	Letter of recommendation:	Not required or recommended
High school GPA:	Required	Open admission:	No
Completion of college prep program:	Required	Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*:

ⓘ *This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

26k

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

94%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

21:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields	✔	✔	✔
2	Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences	✔	✔	✔
3	Architecture And Related Services	✔	✔	✕
4	Biological And Biomedical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
5	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services	✔	✔	✔
6	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
7	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services	✔	✔	✔
8	Education	✔	✔	✔
9	Engineering	✔	✔	✔
10	English Language And Literature/Letters	✔	✔	✔
11	Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences	✔	✔	✕
12	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics	✔	✔	✕
13	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
14	Health Professions And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
15	History	✔	✔	✔
16	History	✔	✔	✔
17	Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services	✔	✔	✔
18	Legal Professions And Studies	✕	✔	✔
19	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities	✔	✕	✕
20	Mathematics And Statistics	✔	✔	✔
21	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	✔	✕	✕
22	Natural Resources And Conservation	✔	✔	✔
23	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies	✔	✔	✔
24	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology	✔	✕	✔
25	Philosophy And Religious Studies	✔	✕	✕
26	Physical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
27	Psychology	✔	✔	✔
28	Public Administration And Social Service Professions	✔	✔	✕
29	Security And Protective Services	✔	✔	✕
30	Social Sciences	✔	✔	✔
31	Visual And Performing Arts	✔	✔	✔