collageIn fact, some people wonder whether getting a college degree is even worth it anymore. It’s a fair question, since you could be earning money for four or more years, rather than racking up student debt. For some people, that might be the right path. But you should also consider the fact that getting a degree significantly improves your employment prospects. According to a study conducted by Georgetown University, of the 11.6 million jobs the economy has gained since the Great Recession, 11.5 million have gone to people with at least some collegiate education—that’s more than 99 percent. And of those, 3.8 million went to people with graduate degrees, and 4.6 million jobs went to people with bachelor’s degrees.
Bethany College
Bethany College was founded in 1840 in the town of Bethany. This historic town is nestled in the northern panhandle of West Virginia in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. It was founded by Alexander Campbell and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Today, Bethany College is the oldest higher education institution in West Virginia.
Features
Today, Bethany serves over 720 students. There are over 30 different programs to study. Bethany also has several Dual-Degree programs with regional larger schools so students can complete a Bachelor and Master degree in less time. In the classroom, the average class size is 14. The student-faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Outside of the classroom, 90% of all students live on campus with access to internet, cable TV and voicemail. Additionally, there are 50 student organizations and 10 different Greek organizations for the students to join. Top majors include:
- Education
- Psychology
- Communication & Media Arts
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences
- Public Administration
Notables
Bethany requires all students to complete a senior project and to pass a comprehensive exam prior to graduation. Bethany is one of the few colleges that still maintain this requirement. It is a point of pride to know that the students are ready to enter their respective fields with a Bethany Degree.
Davis & Elkins College
Davis & Elkins College was founded in 1904 by Senators Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen Benton Elkins tucked in the shadow of the mighty Appalachian Mountains. These two senators were also known for their influence and efforts to build the first railroad into this coal-based area. Both Senators assisted in the development, fundraising, and land donations for this college. The local community matched the donations. With the assistance of the community, the college has developed to what it is today on 172 acres.
Features
Today, Davis & Elkins College has an enrollment of 796 students and are still strongly affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). On campus students can study over 23 majors and join over 35 student organizations including 2 Greek Organizations. There are small class sizes and a small student-faculty ratio (12 to 1). Top majors include:
- Nursing
- Business
- Marketing
- Psychology
- Hospitality
Notables
Elkins, West Virginia is a small town of 7,000 students. It is a Certified Art, Preservation and a Tree City. It borders the Monongahela National Forest. It is truly a “Small Town Gem”. It is over 2 ½ -hour drive to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
West Virginia Wesleyan College
West Virginia Wesleyan College was founded in 1890 by the United Methodist Church. Today it is a campus of 110 acres located in Buckhannon, West, Virginia. Buckhannon is located 2 hours south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition to the growth seen on the campus, West Virignia Wesleyan College has developed 3-2 engineering partnerships with Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and West Virginia University.
Features
Today, the college services over 1400 students and offers 49 majors and 34 minors and 5 graduate programs. Local students can engage in over 70 campus groups, 9 greek organizations or watch school teams play. 90% live on campus. 58% of the classes have less than 20 students. Student-faculty ratio is 13:1. Top programs include:
- Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies
- Business, Management, Marketing
- Education
- Psychology
- Physical Sciences
Notables
Buckhannon, West Virginia, is located on the Buckhannon River in Upshur County. They are a progressive small town that has an extraordinary quality of life. This small town can track its history back before the French and Indian wars in 1755. It is proud of its heritage and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
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