University of Virginia's College at Wise logo

University of Virginia's College at Wise

Wise, VA

publicbachelors

Quick Facts

Wikipedia
1954
Founded
Public liberal arts college
Type
1,214
Total Students
$108M
Endowment
(2019)
$12K
Tuition (In-State)
$33K
Tuition (Out-State)
$11K
Avg Net Price
94%
Acceptance Rate
50%
Graduation Rate
6-year
73%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of Virginia's College at Wise

UVA Wise: Cultivating opportunity in Appalachia since 1954 as Virginia's westernmost public college.

The University of Virginia's College at Wise stands as a beacon of opportunity in Southwest Virginia, born from a community's vision in 1954 to address the decline of the Appalachian coal mining industry. What began as Clinch Valley College, a two-year junior college, swiftly evolved into the region's essential four-year public liberal arts institution, providing crucial access to higher education west of Radford.

Today, UVA Wise offers an impressive range of academic programs, including 31 majors, 31 minors, and 23 teaching specialties, with particular strengths in nursing and technology. The college has continually invested in its future, boasting a growing campus with state-of-the-art facilities like the LEED Silver certified Leonard W. Sandridge Science Center and the impressive David J. Prior Convocation Center, which serves as a regional hub for events.

Students at UVA Wise benefit from a vibrant and supportive environment, experiencing firsthand the college's commitment to growth and community. With a deep connection to the esteemed University of Virginia and a global perspective fostered through international partnerships, UVA Wise prepares its graduates to thrive, making a significant impact both locally and globally. It's a place where dedication to academic excellence meets a profound sense of purpose.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1954 as Clinch Valley College to meet the need for higher education in Appalachia.
  • Transformed from a two-year junior college to a four-year institution, granting its first Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1970.
  • Offers a robust curriculum with 31 majors, 31 minors, and 23 teaching specialties as of 2010.
  • Home to the David J. Prior Convocation Center, a $30 million facility seating up to 3,600, opened in 2011.
  • Successfully completed the "Fulfilling the Dream" campaign, raising over $50 million for college initiatives.
  • Features modern facilities like the LEED Silver certified Leonard W. Sandridge Science Center and a new Pippin-Wyllie Nursing facility (opened 2024).

Timeline

1954
Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia opened with an enrollment of 100 freshmen.
1970
Granted its first Bachelor of Arts degrees.
1973
Granted its first Bachelor of Science degrees.
1999
Renamed "The University of Virginia's College at Wise" by the Virginia General Assembly.
2000
Signed a sister institution agreement with the University of Seville in Spain, its third international partnership.
2009
Broke ground for the $30 million Convocation Center, the largest single capital project in the college's history at that time.
2010
Enrollment reached approximately 2,005 students, offering 31 majors, 31 minors, and 23 teaching specialties.
2012
The David J. Prior Convocation Center was dedicated in honor of Chancellor David J. Prior after his unexpected death.
2024
Celebrated the opening of its new Pippin-Wyllie Nursing facility.
🏛️
72 Years
of Excellence

Find Scholarships at University of Virginia's College at Wise

Sign up free to discover grants and scholarships you qualify for at this school and thousands more.

Start Your Free Search