Across the Kanawha River from the gold-domed West Virginia State Capitol, the University of Charleston fills a narrow riverside campus in the state's capital. It's a private university, known as Morris Harvey College until 1979. Pharmacy, nursing and business are the main draws. Classes are small.
Charleston, West Virginia, United States
Official website: ucwv.edu
Private university in West Virginia
South bank of the Kanawha River
Morris Harvey College
$20,000 – $34,000
International students, before scholarships, excluding pharmacy
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ucwv.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
DoctorateDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
A riverside campus facing the state capitol.
Pharmacy and health science programmes.
Small classes at a private university.
Pharmacy and nursing graduates join hospitals and pharmacies across West Virginia.
Business graduates work for Charleston employers in government, energy and healthcare.
Graduates can work in the US on OPT after finishing their degree.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Campus is a strip of lawns and buildings between the river and MacCorkle Avenue. A bridge across the Kanawha takes you to downtown shops and restaurants.
Charleston is a small capital city ringed by wooded hills. Living costs are low, and the New River Gorge is about an hour's drive away.
Form I-20 issued by University of Charleston
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
The University of Charleston reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply by June for fall and November for spring, so the I-20 is issued in time.
Most programmes start in fall (August), and many undergraduate courses also take a January start.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from University of Charleston first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business administration, nursing, the MBA and pharmacy are popular. Undergraduate entry is based on school grades with IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 71; pharmacy and health programmes have extra prerequisites.
Yes. Most students receive merit scholarships that reduce the listed tuition, and athletic scholarships are available in many sports.
