West Virginia University is raising tuition by just under 5% per semester and discontinuing several majors at its regional campuses as part of efforts to address declining enrollment and financial challenges.
During a recent meeting, the university’s board of governors decided to end bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry, math, and aviation management at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley. They also voted to discontinue bachelor’s programs in recreation, parks, and tourism resources, as well as wood science and technology, at WVU Potomac State College in Keyser.
Additionally, the board approved a new undergraduate certificate program in mine safety practices and health at the engineering school in Morgantown.
For the upcoming fiscal year, undergraduate tuition for in-state students will increase to $5,052 per semester, up by $228 from the previous year. Out-of-state undergraduates will see their tuition rise to $14,304, an increase of $624 per semester.
Graduate students hold their diplomas (Via University of Massachusetts Dartmouth)
Graduate tuition rates will also increase, with in-state students paying $5,706 per semester (up $252), and out-of-state students paying $14,769 per semester (up $639).
The university emphasized that these tuition increases are necessary to cover rising costs due to inflation and to maintain investments in academic quality. They also noted that financial support for students will be expanded. As of this year, half of all in-state WVU graduates who earned bachelor’s degrees did so without accumulating any debt.
Last year, the university faced a $45 million budget shortfall and previously made cuts to academic programs and faculty positions to address financial challenges.
