Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in West Virginia 2025
West Virginia University
111 software engineering graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
4 software engineering graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Concord University
11 software engineering graduates annually, 98% graduation rate
- 1.West Virginia offers 11+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.West Virginia University leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.West Virginia software developers earn median $86,540 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington
- 5.Cost of living index: 88.6% of US average (below average)
Software Engineering Education in West Virginia: Overview
West Virginia offers 11 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 158 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, with major employers including Leidos, Northrop Grumman, FBI CJIS.
With a median software developer salary of $86,540 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 88.6% compared to the US average, West Virginia offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top software engineering programs in the state are led by West Virginia University, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Concord University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
West Virginia Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | Public | $9,648 | — | 65.3 |
| 2 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Parkersburg, WV | Public | $5,148 | 92% | 51.6 |
| 3 | Concord University | Athens, WV | Public | $9,100 | 98% | 49.3 |
| 4 | Bethany College | Bethany, WV | Private | $31,920 | 67% | 43.2 |
| 5 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology | Beckley, WV | Public | $8,064 | — | 38.8 |
| 6 | University of Charleston | Charleston, WV | Private | $21,110 | — | 36.1 |
| 7 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon, WV | Private | $32,166 | — | 31.1 |
| 8 | Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, WV | Public | $6,288 | — | 30.9 |
| 9 | West Virginia State University | Institute, WV | Public | $8,924 | — | 30.9 |
| 10 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg, WV | Public | $434 | — | 30.2 |
| 11 | BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston, WV | Public | $4,682 | — | 29.8 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in West Virginia: Side-by-Side
| School | West Virginia | West Virginia University... | Concord | Bethany College | West Virginia University... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,648 | $5,148 | $9,100 | $31,920 | $8,064 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | 92% | 98% | 67% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 111 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 4 |
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | N/A | 90% | 60% | 61% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Private | Public |
| Score | 65.3/100 | 51.6/100 | 49.3/100 | 43.2/100 | 38.8/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in West Virginia
West Virginia offers 8 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are West Virginia University, Concord University, Bethany College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,578 in the West Virginia market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 West Virginia | $9,648 | N/A% | 111 | 65.3 |
| #2 Concord | $9,100 | 98% | 11 | 49.3 |
| #3 Bethany College | $31,920 | 67% | 4 | 43.2 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in West Virginia
For graduate study, West Virginia offers 1 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include West Virginia University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in West Virginia reaching $112,502 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best software engineering master's programs for more options beyond West Virginia.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in West Virginia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 West Virginia | $9,648 | N/A% | 36 | 48.2 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in West Virginia
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in West Virginia are at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College ($434/year), BridgeValley Community & Technical College ($4,682/year), West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($5,148/year). These programs offer strong ROI given West Virginia's competitive tech salaries.
At Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $1,736 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,578, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.1 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in West Virginia (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Blue Ridge Community and... | $434 | $1,736 | 0.1 years | Public |
| #2 BridgeValley Community &... | $4,682 | $18,728 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 West Virginia University... | $5,148 | $20,592 | 0.8 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in West Virginia
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering programs in West Virginia, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,648 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 111 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 86%
- • Ranking Score: 65.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 111 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 65.3 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (111 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (86% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,148 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 4 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 51.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 4 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Concord University
Athens, WV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,100 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 11 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 90%
- • Ranking Score: 49.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 11 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 49.3 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (11 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (90% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bethany College
Bethany, WV • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $31,920 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 67% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 4 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 60%
- • Ranking Score: 43.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 67% graduation rate
- 4 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 43.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (67%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (60% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,064 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 4 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 61%
- • Ranking Score: 38.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 4 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 38.8 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (61% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Software Engineering Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington
- You're seeking lower cost of living (88.6% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Leidos or Northrop Grumman
- You prefer West Virginia's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs West Virginia's 11)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in West Virginia FAQ
Based on 11 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
West Virginia-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - West Virginia salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.