West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · founded 1867 · 26,000 students · public research university · Big 12

Known for: Known for its strong programs in energy, law, and health sciences, as well as a passionate fan base and spirited athletic traditions.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #216
Forbes: #292

Top programmes

Petroleum Engineering
Law
Medicine
Forensic Science
Journalism
Energy Management

Notable alumni

Don Knotts — Actor, best known as Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show
Mary Lou Retton — Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics
Jerry West — NBA Hall of Famer and executive, logo silhouette inspiration
Kathy Mattea — Country music singer and Grammy winner
John Chambers — Former CEO of Cisco Systems
Brad Paisley — Country music singer and songwriter
Pat White — Former NFL quarterback and collegiate football star

Traditions

Mountaineer Week
Flying WV hand sign
Singing 'Country Roads' after wins
Gold and Blue Rush

If West Virginia University were…

As a food: Pepperoni roll with a side of ramp potatoes — Born in West Virginia mines, hearty, portable, proudly regional with a kick—like WVU, it's working-class fuel that sustains through long days and cold nights, unapologetically rooted in its homeland.
As an athlete: Jerry West — The NBA logo himself—a West Virginia native legend who combined fierce competitiveness with fundamental excellence, much like WVU's basketball tradition and blue-collar work ethic across all fields.
As a person alive today: Brad Paisley — A technically gifted performer who celebrates his Appalachian roots without caricature, blending traditional craftsmanship with mainstream appeal—like WVU's balance of land-grant mission and Big 12 athletic presence.
As a historical figure: Chuck Yeager — The West Virginia-born test pilot who broke the sound barrier with matter-of-fact courage—mirroring WVU's culture of practical breakthrough in energy, medicine, and aerospace without East Coast pretension.
As a movie or TV show: Friday Night Lights (TV series) — The specific portrayal of Dillon, Texas—where football is communal religion, economic reality bites, and loyalty runs deeper than rankings—captures Morgantown's passionate, sometimes heartbreaking, always authentic colle
As a US president: Andrew Jackson — The populist frontiersman who fought establishment elites while expanding access—flawed but fiercely democratic, like WVU's mission to educate first-generation students and defend Appalachian interests against coastal co
As a city: Pittsburgh — A Rust Belt city that reinvented itself through medicine and technology while keeping its blue-collar soul and sports obsession—like Morgantown, it's where industrial heritage meets cutting-edge research in hills overloo
As an element: Carbon — The foundational element of both Appalachian coal and human life—versatile, resilient, capable of diamond hardness under pressure—like WVU, it's at the core of the region's identity and transformation.
As a car: 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty with a lift kit — Big, loud, unapologetically fun, and built for rugged Appalachian terrain—this truck dominates tailgates and backroads with the same enthusiasm WVU brings to football Saturdays and outdoor adventure. It's affordable, pra

Campus life

WVU has a vibrant campus life with a strong emphasis on school spirit, especially around football games. The university offers over 400 student organizations, and Morgantown provides a college town atmosphere with outdoor recreation opportunities.