Photo: Daniel G Rego · CC BY-SA 4.0Charleston is home to University of Charleston
The University of Charleston (1,287 students on campus) is inside the city, and BridgeValley Community & Technical College (1,400) is 3.6 miles from the center, just over the line in South Charleston. About 5% of Charleston’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as West Virginia (5%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Charleston. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college in Charleston
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Charleston
Two private colleges within 10 miles, one public college within 7.5 miles, and BridgeValley Community & Technical College 3.6 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Charleston’s median household income ($65,812) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Charleston: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: West Virginia Junior College-Charleston (2).
Questions about college in Charleston
Is Charleston a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Charleston residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as West Virginia (5). The largest campus in the city, the University of Charleston, has 1,287 students on campus.
What colleges are in Charleston?
The University of Charleston is inside the city. BridgeValley Community & Technical College is 3.6 miles from the center, in South Charleston.
What is the closest community college to Charleston, and what does it cost?
BridgeValley Community & Technical College in South Charleston, 3.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,800 a year for West Virginia residents; the federal net price, $4,565, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does West Virginia State University cost if we live in West Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $9,570 a year in-state and $14,990 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,457 (under $30,000 income) to $17,355 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Charleston. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →