Best College Towns In West Virginia
“The Mountain State” of West Virginia is well known for the natural beauty of its mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. While it lacks large cities, one of its bigger municipalities, Morgantown, is regularly recognized as a great “college town” with a legendary party atmosphere. Dig a bit deeper, though, and you will discover that several other college towns in West Virginia are well worth a visit, ranging from lively hotspots like Morgantown to quiet, laid-back communities with tight connections to their local campuses.
Morgantown
Located along the Monongahela River in north-central West Virginia, near the border with Pennsylvania and about 75 miles south of Pittsburgh, Morgantown’s population of just over 30,000 makes it the state’s fourth largest city. That permanent population is nearly equaled by the student population of West Virginia University (WVU), modern Morgantown’s primary economic engine and claim to notoriety. WVU’s campus is divided into three sections, one adjacent to downtown Morgantown and all connected by the city’s Personal Rapid Transit system. WVU frequently sits near the top of listings of the nation’s top “party schools,” though the university and city have worked to reduce instances of excessive alcohol consumption and minor property damage.
Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia’s second-largest city with slightly under 47,000 residents, sits at the confluence of the Ohio River and Guyandotte River in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. While Huntington has seen a decline in population and industry since its heyday in the mid-20th century, it still has the second busiest inland port in the United States. The city’s location and history give it a unique mix of northern, southern, and midwestern cultural influences, and this cosmopolitanism is enhanced by the presence of Marshall University, founded in 1837 and home to 10,600 students. Marshall’s campus and academic profile have grown in recent decades to its benefit and that of the Huntington community.
Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia’s state capital, is located at the junction of the Kanawha and Elk Rivers in the southwestern part of the state. While Charleston’s population has dropped significantly from its high of over 85,000 in 1960 to around 48,000 today, it remains the state’s largest city and an important economic hub. Students at the University of Charleston, a school with about 1,000 students located across the Kanawha River from the state capitol complex, continue to benefit from the ongoing efforts to revitalize the historic downtown area. Charleston is also home to a branch campus of West Virginia University, while West Virginia State University, a historically Black college (HBCU), is in the nearby community of the Institute.
Fairmont
Located about 20 miles southwest of Morgantown, Fairmont is among West Virginia’s ten largest cities, with a population of just over 18,000. Situated at the confluence that marks the starting point of the Monongahela River, Fairmont has a picturesque setting, a historic downtown area, and nearby attractions like the West Virginia Botanic Gardens and Tygart Lake State Park. Fairmont has also, since 1865, been home to Fairmont State University, a public institution with a student population of about 3,800. Fairmont State’s students can take quick trips up to Morgantown for more of a party-centric college town atmosphere or opt for the more relaxed vibe found in downtown Fairmont.
Elkins
The town of Elkins (population 6,900) is located along the Tygart Valley River in eastern West Virginia, near where the Eastern Panhandle connects to the rest of the state. Often called one of the state’s prettiest small towns due to its charming main street area and the surrounding natural beauty, Elkins gets a big tourism boost each October from the very popular Mountain State Forest Festival. Another boost to the local economy and cultural scene comes from Davis and Elkins College, a private Christian institution with around 800 students. While Elkins might not be the place to come to for raucous off-campus parties, there is plenty for students and visitors alike to love about this charming community.
Shepherdstown
Located at the far end of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, alongside both the Potomac River and the Shenandoah Valley, Shepherdstown (founded in 1762) is tied with Romney for the title of the oldest town in the state. Shepherdstown’s current population is only about 1,500, but it maintains a lovely, historic, and bustling downtown area. The entire town is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and Shepherdstown is sometimes called “the most haunted town in America” due to many tales of ghost sightings. Along with potential ghosts, Shepherdstown is home to 3,000-plus students at Shepherd University, a public institution established in 1871 and known for its theater and Civil War history programs.
Bluefield
Situated in the mountains of far southern West Virginia, Bluefield was an important coal mining town and railroad depot for much of the twentieth century. While those industries have not completely vanished, Bluefield’s current population of around 9,000 is less than half of its midcentury size. Bluefield has managed to maintain its historic downtown area, however, and its naturally cool summers and surrounding mountain beauty have turned it into a tourist destination. Bluefield is also home to Bluefield State University, which started in 1895 as a segregated Black college, shifted to a (mostly white) commuter college in the 1960s, and restored its residential campus in 2019, adding a further boost to the surrounding community.
All these college towns make great choices to spend a weekend in a lively atmosphere. So, next time you are in West Virginia, you can visit any of the above towns to explore and experience their youthful vibes and charm and to relive your own fun college days.
