Education - Schools
Education is highly valued in the Wheeling area, beginning at the preschool level, with a variety of excellent choices available to families in both the public and private sectors.
Private and Parochial Schools
Three private and six parochial schools are an important part of the positive reputation of the Wheeling area's educational network. This unusually fine group of private schools, synonymous with educational excellence and tradition, provide options for school age youth and their parents.
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Each year many students from the public, private and parochial systems become National Merit scholars and receive national recognition. For example, in 1992 more than half of the Presidential Merit Scholars in West Virginia were from Ohio County, and this one small county provided 1 percent of the merit scholars chosen in the entire nation.
The dedication of the community to academic achievement is an on-going commitment that is continually being enhanced. The NASA Classroom of the Future project at Wheeling Jesuit University (see Technology) is one of the latest innovations to continue the tradition of excellence. The new $10 million facility incorporates a Challenger Space Center, a 21st century learning center and classroom, up and down links to satellites for regional and national communications and a Teacher Resource Center. The top floor includes a space craft simulator and other exciting learning enhancements.
Education - Colleges
- Serve nearly 12,000 students
- Associate to Masters level degrees
- Low faculty to student ratios
- Liberal arts and technical programs
The Wheeling area has more quality colleges per capita than most metropolitan areas can claim. Students from throughout the United States are drawn to area colleges by the secure campus atmosphere and the quality of the curricula. The relatively low cost of attending West Virginia's colleges--even to out-of-state students-contributes to making colleges in the Wheeling area attractive.
There are other opportunities in the Valley for career and technical training: barber and beautician; business; aviation and flight training; fine arts; diesel mechanic; truck driver, and so forth.
Many other higher education institutions are within one or two hours drive in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, making Wheeling a hub for the pursuit of learning.
West Liberty State College
enrollment 2,500 - tuition - $3,138/year (in-state)
Wheeling Jesuit University
enrollment 1,600 - tuition - $19,900/yea
Bethany College
enrollment approx. 850 - tuition - $19,845/year includes room & board.
Belmont Technical College
enrollment – 1,620- tuition – $2,500/year
West Virginia Business College
Enrollment is approximately 80 and tuition varies between a diploma at $8,500 and the associate degrees at $15,500.
West Virginia University Extended Learning
West Virginia University offers nearly 30 degrees online and off-campus in the Northern Panhandle. Through Extended Learning, residents can earn graduate degrees in education, nursing, business, healthcare, communications, and social work. WVU also offers many undergraduate courses online for adults who want to complete their bachelor's degree. Online courses are also offered in continuing and professional education. For the list of current offerings, please visit elearn.wvu.edu or call 1-800-253-2762
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