Healthcare education in West Virginia

West Virginia has 2 MD schools and 1 DO school. West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown is the state’s academic medical center and primary research institution. Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington focuses on community-based medical education. The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg is one of the oldest and most respected osteopathic medical schools in the country, consistently ranking among the top schools for producing physicians who practice in rural areas.

West Virginia is home to 2 MD schools and 1 DO school.

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Pipeline programs and pre-med resources

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The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has one of the strongest records in the country for producing physicians who practice in rural and underserved communities. WVSOM graduates consistently rank among the top DO programs in U.S. News for rural health and primary care placement. The school’s tuition is among the most affordable of any medical school nationally for both in-state and out-of-state students.

West Virginia University Health Sciences Center offers multiple health professions programs and summer research opportunities for undergraduate students. Marshall University’s School of Medicine provides clinical training through the Cabell Huntington Hospital system and Joan C. Edwards VA Medical Center.

West Virginia’s rural character means that clinical training often includes exposure to underserved populations, Appalachian health disparities, and the opioid crisis response, providing experiences that students at urban medical schools may not encounter.

The West Virginia AHEC program provides health careers exploration and pipeline activities for students throughout the state, with a particular focus on recruiting students from rural West Virginia communities into healthcare careers.

For students in West Virginia, we recommend starting with our level-specific guides: Middle School, High School, or Undergraduate. See also our What Is Pre-Med? and Pre-Med Requirements pages.

Scholarships and loan repayment


West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for West Virginia high school graduates with qualifying GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Covers full tuition and fees at West Virginia public institutions. Details at cfwv.com.

West Virginia Higher Education Grant
Need-based grant for West Virginia residents. Apply via FAFSA.

WV Health Sciences Scholarship
West Virginia offers scholarships for students in health professions programs, with a focus on primary care and service in underserved WV communities. Check current programs through the WV Higher Education Policy Commission.

Rural Health Loan Repayment
West Virginia offers loan repayment for physicians practicing in rural and underserved areas. The state’s extensive HPSA designations also make many WV practice sites eligible for NHSC loan repayment.

For federal programs available in all states, see our Income-Driven Repayment, PSLF Guide, and Military Medical Scholarships pages.

Medical schools in West Virginia

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (MD, Huntington) | Website
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (DO, Lewisburg) | Website
West Virginia University School of Medicine (MD, Morgantown) | Website

For complete data including application systems and school details, see our Medical Schools Database and filter by state.

Help us improve this page

If you know of a West Virginia-specific program, scholarship, or resource that should be listed here, please use the Contact Us form or the “Share Your Thoughts” button. We update state pages regularly based on community input.

Last verified: March 2026