WVSU Latest School To Announce Commitment To Affordability

West Virginia State University (WVSU) has announced a plan designed to ensure access, affordability and career readiness.

The Yellow Jacket Pledge was presented to the WVSU Board of Governors Thursday and includes a tuition freeze, the elimination of application fees, and guaranteed admission for West Virginia high school graduates who have at least a 2.5 GPA.

“With the Yellow Jacket Pledge, West Virginia State University is setting the standard for access, affordability and career readiness for higher education in West Virginia,” WVSU President Ericke S. Cage said in a press release. “We know that higher education must change to meet the demands of today’s workforce and we are taking bold steps to address these demands head-on.”

WVSU’s announcement is the latest commitment to affordability from a West Virginia university. 

Fairmont State University and West Virginia University announced their own tuition-free guarantees in recent weeks, and Marshall University has worked to graduate students debt-free for the past two years.

Beginning with the fall 2025 semester, all in-state tuition for incoming students at WVSU will be frozen for eight semesters. For students living on campus, room and board rates are frozen for next year as well.

After graduation, graduates who cannot find employment after one year will be eligible to enhance their credentials by taking additional courses at the university at no additional cost for up to one year.

In addition, the university is increasing access to the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree, a non-traditional degree program for working West Virginia adults who are at least four years out of high school. Incoming first-time RBA students will receive their tuition and fees in their first semester at no cost.