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Colleges in and near Jefferson

West Virginia State University is 1.2 miles from Jefferson

No college sits inside Jefferson’s boundary, but West Virginia State University’s campus in Institute, with 2,991 students on campus, is 1.2 miles from the center of town, and BridgeValley Community & Technical College is 5.1 miles away in South Charleston. About 3% of Jefferson’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as West Virginia (5%).

West Virginia State University

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 Jefferson. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
5,861 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
West Virginia State
Residents in college
3%
About the same as WV (5%)
Nearest community college
5.1 mi
BridgeValley Community & Technical College · $5,800 tuition
Nearest public university
1.2 mi
West Virginia State · $9,570 in-state
Median household income
$40K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Jefferson

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university 1.2 miles awayWest Virginia State University has 2,991 students on campus in Institute, 39% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at West Virginia StateLiving in West Virginia, West Virginia State University charges $9,570 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,990. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 5.1 miles awayBridgeValley Community & Technical College in South Charleston: tuition and fees $5,800 a year for West Virginia residents.Students are 3% of residentsAbout the same as West Virginia (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Jefferson

Two private colleges within 9.7 miles, one public college within 1.2 miles, and BridgeValley Community & Technical College 5.1 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miWest Virginia StateUniversity of CharlestonJefferson
University or collegeCommunity college
West Virginia State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,991 on campus · 1.2 mi · Institute96%admitted$11knet price39%graduate$40kearningsWest Virginia Junior College-CharlestonUniversity or college · For-profit · 183 on campus · 3.2 mi · Cross Lanes$13knet price60%graduate$27kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.BridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,400 on campus · 5.1 mi · South Charleston$5knet price34%graduate$36kearningsTuition and fees: $5,800 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of CharlestonUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,287 on campus · 9.7 mi · Charleston · mostly online62%admitted$22knet price46%graduate$56kearnings53% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Jefferson’s median household income ($39,861) falls.

BridgeValley Community & Technical College5.1 mi · South Charleston · sticker $12,299 · tuition $5,800$4,539a year
West Virginia State University1.2 mi · Institute · sticker $19,772$10,225a year
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston3.2 mi · Cross Lanes · sticker $22,249$10,715a year
University of Charleston9.7 mi · Charleston · mostly online · sticker $46,470$25,331a year

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.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Jefferson: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →West Virginia StateWest Virginia Junior College-CharlestonBridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeUniversity of Charleston
West Virginia State University39% graduate$40k earnings$23k typical debt
BridgeValley Community & Technical College34% graduate$36k earnings$10k typical debt
University of Charleston46% graduate$56k earnings$20k typical debt
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston60% graduate$27k earnings*$8k typical debt

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 near Jefferson

Is Jefferson a college town?

No. About 3 of every 100 Jefferson residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as West Virginia (5). The nearest campus, West Virginia State University, is 1.2 miles away in Institute.

What colleges are near Jefferson?

Within 15 miles: West Virginia State University (1.2 miles, 2,991 students on campus), West Virginia Junior College-Charleston (3.2 miles, 183), BridgeValley Community & Technical College (5.1 miles, 1,400) and the University of Charleston (9.7 miles, 1,287).

What is the closest community college to Jefferson, and what does it cost?

BridgeValley Community & Technical College in South Charleston, 5.1 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.

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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 Jefferson. 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 →