Best Community Colleges in West Virginia of 2024

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Mount Gay, WV, offers transfer-focused degrees, career-oriented associate degrees, and certificate programs. These programs cover criminal justice, business administration, industrial welding, nursing, and paramedic science. SWVCTC is dedicated to providing affordable education, and over 80% of students receive financial aid. The school offers more than 20 scholarships, and free tuition is available via the WV Invests grant. Southern is a particularly great choice for high school students due to the college's Early College Academy. The Early College Academy allows participants to earn an associate degree while still in high school, giving them a significant head start on their post-secondary education.

West Virginia Northern Community College is one of the top community colleges in the state. It offers associate degree and certificate programs in business, human services, education, computer information technology, and liberal arts. Students can enjoy a wide range of activities, including intramural sports, student government, and student clubs. WVNCC is open to students who have graduated high school, earned their GEDs, and homeschooled students. This institution stands out as a great option for businesses interested in training and workforce development programs. WVNCC offers industrial, business, and customized training to local and regional companies through the school’s Center for Business & Industrial Training. The school also works with employers to develop programs that incorporate training from the sponsor and combine it with general education and technical training provided by WVNCC to help employees earn associate degrees.

Situated in Fairmont, WV, Pierpont Community and Technical College provides accessible, affordable degree and certificate programs to residents in West Virginia. The school offers many associate degree programs in fields like advanced welding, applied design, food service management, liberal studies, and respiratory care. Pierpont also provides professional training via its skill set programs. These programs are designed to give students the basic professional skills they need to enter the workforce. Pierpont offers skill set programs that help students find jobs as accounting paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, event coordinators, teacher’s aides, and web designers. These programs are ideal for students who want to enter the workforce quickly without pursuing a two- or four-year degree.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg, WV, offers more than 40 associate degree and certificate programs. The school’s affordable associate degree programs are designed to prepare students for success in fields like accounting, culinary arts, human services, education, nursing, and cybersecurity. Students may also pursue a degree in social sciences or liberal arts if they plan to transfer to a four-year university. Blue Ridge is also an exceptional choice for adults that want to develop professional skills and advance their careers, as the school offers online, self-paced career advancement education programs. These programs provide training in in-demand fields like IT, business management, healthcare, construction, and hospitality. Blue Ridge partners with a variety of market-expert online course vendors to deliver programs that help individuals develop workforce-ready skills.

Based in Keyser, WV, Potomac State College of West Virginia University is the best option for students that want to pursue a four-year degree in a small college setting. Unlike most community colleges, Potomac State College offers a selection of four-year degrees, including bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, business management, nursing, computer information systems, and sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship. The school also offers over 50 two-year programs, including aerospace engineering, health sciences, biology, economics, English, and political science. Some of these programs are also available online, including the associate of arts in general studies, allowing students to complete coursework around their work schedules. Potomac State College offers affordable student housing for individuals who want a more traditional college experience. Student resources like mental health counseling, career support, and academic advising help students get the most out of their time at Potomac.

Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, WV, is the best community college in West Virginia for adults who value flexibility when it comes to their learning schedules. The school offers several options for distance education courses, including online, hybrid, live remote, and flex courses. These options make it easy for working adults to design a course schedule that suits their needs. Distance learners can still access student support services like academic advising, tech support, and counseling, so they don’t have to make sacrifices to pursue an online education. Mountwest’s degree and certificate programs span a wide range of subjects, ranging from accounting and animation to behavioral science and criminal justice. Students with professional experience can earn credit for prior learning by providing documentation of prior testing, submitting a professional portfolio, or taking placement exams.

New River Community and Technical College is one of the newer community colleges in West Virginia. Based in Beaver, WV, this school offers several associate degrees and certificate programs in allied health, bookkeeping, computer science, cosmetology, medical assisting, social services, and welding. They have campuses in Raleigh County, Ghent, Lewisburg, Princeton, and Nicholas County. New River has transfer agreements with several universities to streamline the transition to a four-year university. This includes universities like Concord, Fairmont State, West Virginia, and Bluefield State. New River Community and Technical College stands out by offering high-quality community education courses. These classes are designed to help individuals pursue their interests, learn new hobbies, and enrich their lives. Course offerings include retirement planning, digital photography, writing workshops, and instrument lessons.

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is the best option for students that want to customize their programs. Based in Moorefield, WV, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College allows students to develop customized degree programs in conjunction with approved apprenticeship or training programs. These programs meet general education requirements while allowing students to pursue specific interests. The college also offers 20 associate degree programs in fields like accounting, allied healthcare, business management, elementary education, and information technology. Students can also pursue professional certificates to develop in-demand skills in various industries. For students interested in pursuing a four-year degree, the school has articulated transfer agreements with several universities, including West Virginia University, Aspen University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Shepherd University.

Located in South Charleston, WV, BridgeValley Community and Technical College serves 2,000 students each year and offers nearly 40 associate degree and certificate programs. Students can pursue a wide range of professional degrees, from welding and cybersecurity to engineering technology and health sciences. The school recommends that students who are interested in transferring to a four-year university choose to major in general education. BridgeValley has an open-door admissions policy, meaning it accepts any applicant with a high school diploma or GED. BridgeValley offers generous financial aid programs, including institution scholarships for first-year, new, and returning students. Students can also get help with applying for federal financial aid and state grants.