Accredited nursing programs in West Virginia
23 schools in West Virginia have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 13 BSN, 15 ADN, 1 LPN, 6 MSN programs. 2 hold both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 9 of 13 listings are CCNE and 4 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 13
- 4 ACEN, 9 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 15
- 15 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 1
- 1 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 6
- 2 ACEN, 4 CCNE
Accredited schools in West Virginia
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System | Charles Town | For-profit | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Bluefield State University | Bluefield | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Davis & Elkins College | Elkins | Private | ACEN | ACEN | – | – |
| Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Moorefield | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Fairmont State University | Fairmont | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| Marshall University | Huntington | Public | ACEN | – | – | ACEN |
| New River Community and Technical College | Beaver | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Shepherd University | Shepherdstown | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Logan | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Charleston | Charleston | Private | ACEN | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| Valley College-Beckley | Beckley | Private | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Valley College-Martinsburg | Martinsburg | Private | – | ACEN | – | – |
| West Liberty University | West Liberty | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| West Virginia Junior College-Charleston | Cross Lanes | For-profit | – | ACEN | – | – |
| West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | Morgantown | For-profit | – | ACEN | – | – |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| West Virginia State University | Institute | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Parkersburg | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | – |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Wheeling University | Wheeling | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in West Virginia
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The West Virginia board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Associate programs are the most common accredited level here, with 15. For bachelor’s degrees, 13 of 14 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (93%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in West Virginia are accredited?
We matched 23 West Virginia schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 13 BSN, 15 ADN, 1 LPN, 6 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in West Virginia?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all West Virginia bachelor’s programs accredited?
13 of the 14 West Virginia schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.