What You Should Know About Graduating From College in West Virginia
As you consider different college options, take into account how your degree will prepare you to enter West Virginia’s workforce. In October 2021, the five largest industries that were responsible for employing the most workers in the state are government; education and health services; trade, transportation, and utilities; goods-producing; and retail trade. A degree relevant to these fields could greatly help you after graduation.
Many of the state’s top career paths are in these industries. The fastest-growing careers in West Virginia for workers with a bachelor’s degree are information security analysts, medical and health services managers, data scientists, athletic trainers, and operations research analysts.
Some of West Virginia’s top employers are CAMC Memorial Hospital, West Virginia Department of Transportation, West Virginia University, and Cabell Huntington Hospital. A lot of other employers also have thousands of workers on their respective payrolls.
What’s Next?
You’ll need to pay attention to financial aid opportunities as you evaluate the different colleges in West Virginia. The following state and federal resources will help you investigate different financial aid opportunities, such as grants and scholarships in West Virginia.
- College Foundation of West Virginia. The College Foundation of West Virginia has information on state-level financial aid, including scholarship, grant, and loan assistance opportunities in the state.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Over $120 billion in financial aid is given out to U.S. college students each year. These funds are awarded by the Department of Education and through the FAFSA program. You can check eligibility on the FAFSA4caster and apply through this online form.
- CareerOneStop. A resource sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop has information on different scholarships and grants that are offered in each state. View scholarships by their amounts, requirements, deadlines, and other factors. Filter by degree type and the state where you plan to study.