Concord University

Public · Moderately Selective · WV

Photo: Christopher Ziemnowicz (CZmarlin) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationWV · South

SettingRural

Undergrads1,504

Student:faculty16:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate30.8%

6-yr grad rate39%

Drop-out rate35.2%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$11k

Out-of-state tuition$22k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity21.3%

Gender diversity59.4%

International3.9%

Identity—

Overview

Concord University, in Athens, West Virginia — nicknamed "The Campus Beautiful" for its setting on a mountain plateau in the state's southern coalfield region — is a small public university serving a largely first-generation, Appalachian student body.

Academics

Teacher education and social work are historic strengths, reflecting the university's long-standing role preparing professionals to serve the surrounding region. Programs are taught in small classes with a personal, accessible feel typical of a small regional public university.

Campus & student life

The mountain-plateau campus is genuinely scenic, and the small-town setting means campus life is close-knit and central to the student experience — there is little competing off-campus draw the way there might be near a larger city. Athletics and campus traditions play a significant role in a community this size.

Getting in

Admission is accessible, consistent with Concord's mission of serving southern West Virginia's coalfield communities, many of whose students are the first in their family to attend college.

After graduation

Many graduates go on to teach or work in social services within West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region, continuing the university's regional-service orientation past graduation.

concord.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate92.6%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 830–1090 · ACT 17–24

Test policyoptional

Rec letters—

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Applying