Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5West Virginia University at Parkersburg is 12.1 miles from Elizabeth
No college sits inside Elizabeth’s boundary, but West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s campus in Parkersburg, with 2,233 students on campus, is 12.1 miles from the center of town, and BridgeValley Community & Technical College is 51.6 miles away in South Charleston. About 12% of Elizabeth’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 Elizabeth. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Elizabeth
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Elizabeth
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Elizabeth.
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 Under $30k, where Elizabeth’s median household income ($22,353) 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 Elizabeth: 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.
Questions about college near Elizabeth
Is Elizabeth a college town?
No. About 12 of every 100 Elizabeth residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as West Virginia (5). The nearest campus, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, is 12.1 miles away in Parkersburg.
What colleges are near Elizabeth?
Within 15 miles: West Virginia University at Parkersburg (12.1 miles, 2,233 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Elizabeth, and what does it cost?
BridgeValley Community & Technical College in South Charleston, 51.6 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 University at Parkersburg cost if we live in West Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $4,612 a year in-state and $9,124 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $723 (under $30,000 income) to $7,562 (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 Elizabeth. 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 →