West Virginia University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

West Virginia University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 82%. Founded in 1867, WVU offers over 139 undergraduate majors and 480 student organizations. Students can apply via the WVU Application or the Common Application.

Considering applying to WVU? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, West Virginia University had an acceptance rate of 82%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 82 were admitted, making WVU's admissions process less competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

West Virginia University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 57% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of WVU's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to West Virginia University scored between 530 and 620, while 25% scored below 530 and 25% scored above 620. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 520 and 620, while 25% scored below 520 and 25% scored above 620. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1440 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at WVU.

Requirements

West Virginia University does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that WVU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

WVU requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 65% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of WVU's admitted students fall within the top 42% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to West Virginia University received a composite ACT score between 21and 27, while 25% scored above 27 and 25% scored below 21.

Requirements

WVU does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, West Virginia University superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of West Virginia University's incoming class was 3.45. This data suggests that most successful applicants to WVU have primarily high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to West Virginia University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

West Virginia University, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a slightly selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, WVU is interested in more than test scores and GPAs. The university requires that applicants have a strong academic record which includes four units of English, three units of college preparatory math, four units of social studies and/or fine arts, three units of science, and two units of a single foreign language.

Minimum admissions standards for West Virginia residents include a 2.0 high school GPA, and a composite ACT score of 19 or higher, or a combined ERW-M SAT score of 950 or above. The minimum admissions standards for non-residents include a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher, and an ACT of 21 or above, or a combined SAT ERW-M of 1060 or more. Note that many programs at West Virginia have higher admissions standards than the university as a whole. Business, Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, and others all have a higher bar than we find with general admission.

In the graph above, the green and blue dots represent accepted students. As you can see, the majority of students who got in had a GPA of 2.5 or higher, an SAT score (ERW+M) above 950, and an ACT composite score of 18 or higher. Your chances will be best if you have at least a solid "B" average, a combined SAT score above 1050, and an ACT composite score of 21 or higher.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and West Virginia University Undergraduate Admissions Office.