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University of Charleston

#826 in US ranking Charleston, WV
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Charleston award
University of Charleston award

Cost

Cost / year
$48,156
Tuition & fees
$33,990
Avg. aid
$19,206
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
62%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
46%
Median salary
$60,732
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of University of Charleston?

The University of Charleston is a private university in Charleston, West Virginia, whose history began in 1888 as Barboursville Seminary. It later became Morris Harvey College, moved to Charleston in the 1930s, and adopted the University of Charleston name in 1978.

Those changes help explain why the university has both a traditional undergraduate campus and professional programs. Its early history is associated with Methodist education, but applicants should evaluate the university's present-day academic and campus policies rather than assume that its founding affiliation defines the current student experience.

What are the faculties and departments at University of Charleston?

The University of Charleston offers undergraduate and graduate study across liberal arts, business, education, health, and professional fields. Its academic organization includes a School of Pharmacy, alongside programs in areas such as nursing, business administration, computer science, biology, and psychology.

Applicants should check the current academic catalog for the school, credential, campus, and delivery format attached to a particular program. A business bachelor's degree, a nursing program, and a pharmacy doctorate have different admission routes and academic requirements; university admission alone does not establish eligibility for every professional program. Students considering a licensed profession should also examine that program's current accreditation and the licensing rules of the state where they intend to work.

What is the location of University of Charleston?

The university's main campus is in Charleston, West Virginia's capital, along the Kanawha River. The city setting gives students access to state government, health care employers, and other organizations that may be relevant to internships or field experience.

Charleston is not a large metropolitan transit market, so commuting students should plan around their actual class and work schedules. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. West Virginia International Yeager Airport serves the Charleston area; travelers should still account for ground transportation between the airport and campus. Applicants to online or location-specific programs should confirm where required classes, labs, and clinical placements take place.

What is the mission and vision of University of Charleston?

The University of Charleston states that its mission is to educate students for lives of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement. This is a statement of educational purpose, not a measured guarantee of employment or civic outcomes.

For prospective students, the useful question is how that mission appears in a chosen program: its general education requirements, opportunities for applied learning, and expectations for participation beyond coursework. The university's historical religious roots should not be confused with a requirement that students share a particular faith.

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University of Charleston Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

University of Charleston

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Small

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1888

University of Charleston Accreditation

University of Charleston is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

University of Charleston Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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