Nursing in West Virginia

West Virginia’s has 48 nursing schools across about 55 cities; these schools cluster mainly around population centers like Charleston, Morgantown, and Huntington. Rural areas have fewer options, The geographical spread tends to favor more urbanized and suburban counties where major healthcare employers such as WVU Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center, and St. Mary’s Medical Center offer clinical placements and employment opportunities.

Nursing job prospects in West Virginia are stable but complex. The state employs around 20,860 registered nurses, with significant demand in primary care and rural health settings. The overall market does not show oversaturation, yet competition exists in urban centers. Wages vary widely, with an average RN salary of $75,990 but ranging between $50,650 and $99,440; this spread is influenced by factors such as specialty certifications, employer type, and region. Nurse practitioners in West Virginia earn about $113,450 annually, while CRNAs report much higher incomes around $232,410. When paired with West Virginia’s low cost of living; among the nation’s most affordable, nursing salaries generally provide a reasonable standard of living statewide, especially outside major cities.

West Virginia is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, meaning that nurses must secure individual state licenses to practice locally. Reciprocity with other states requires case-by-case review, which may delay or restrict the ability of nurses to move and work across state borders easily.

The state’s NCLEX pass rates have steadily improved, averaging 88.2% across programs in 2025 and 2026, ranging from just over 80% to above 93%. Higher pass rates often correlate with public and non-profit nursing schools, whereas some for-profit programs show lower results. This difference reflects ongoing concerns related to education quality and resources in for-profit institutions versus those funded by state or federal sources.

Tuition costs vary by program type and institution. LPN programs typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, with community colleges offering more affordable options. ADN programs cost between $7,000 and $20,000 depending on the school, while BSN programs ... especially at private colleges ... can range from $15,000 to over $30,000 annually. West Virginia’s community colleges help keep nursing education accessible, but private schools charge higher fees. Students should consider these costs alongside regional living expenses, which include modest housing and transportation costs compared to national averages.