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About

PSC Mission

As an integrated division of West Virginia University, Potomac State College provides a broad range of high quality associate degree programs as well as baccalaureate degree programs at a reasonable cost with a historic focus on teaching and learning and a commitment to providing access to a better life for all West Virginians.

PSC Strategic Goals

  • Goal 1: Engage undergraduate students in a challenging  academic environment.
  • Goal 2: Excel in teaching, creative activity and innovation in all learning environments.
  • Goal 3: Foster diversity and global awareness.
  • Goal 4: Foster collaborative partnerships to advance the mission of the College.
  • Goal 5: Enhance the well-being and quality of life for the  campus community, people in West Virginia, and the broader service region of the College.
  • Goal 6: Develop infrastructure to support enrollment growth and to improve retention and graduation rates.

WVU System Mission

As a land-grant institution, the faculty, staff and students at West Virginia University commit to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that advances education, healthcare and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity; by advancing high-impact research; and by leading transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state and global engagement.

WVU System Vision

As one West Virginia University, we are purposeful in our studies and our work so that we can partner with our communities - both near and far - to bring needed and valued solutions to real-life problems within the pillars of education, healthcare and prosperity.

WVU System Strategic Values

  • Service - We seek opportunities to serve others and are committed to providing the highest quality of service.
  • Curiosity - We ask questions, seek new opportunities and change through innovation.
  • Respect - We are respectful, transparent and inclusive with each other.
  • Accountability - We perform at our very best every day to create a University that is responsive, efficient and effective.

  • Appreciation - We support and value each other's contributions as we build a community that is One WVU

Life at Potomac State College

Potomac State College in Keyser is known for its small class sizes, student-centered focus and caring and approachable professors - all at a cost that ranks among the lowest in the country for a four-year institution.

For more than 1,143 students, it is a home away from home. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, over 60 two-year degree programs are offered that can easily be transferred and completed at WVU Morgantown or WVU Beckley - and 8 four-year bachelor's degree programs.

Professional and peer tutors in the Academic Success Center can help with specific assignments or work with students to improve study skills.

Two residence halls are air conditioned and equipped with high-speed internet, lounges and laundry facilities. Students can also commute to the Keyser campus or choose to take on-line courses.

Many students play on one of PSC's 10 competitive athletic teams, join or lead clubs, study abroad, play an intramural sport - or simply cheer on the Catamounts. And, of course, being tucked away in the Potomac Highlands allows students to camp, kayak, raft, fish, ski - and just enjoy the beauty of the region.

Simply put, WVU Potomac State College offers the best of both worlds: A big-time university, delivered in a small-college setting.

Keyser, West Virginia

Potomac State College is located in Keyser, WVU's home in the Eastern Panhandle of the state. With a population of 5,264, the city is the county seat of Mineral County, West Virginia, and lies on the North Branch Potomac River. It is a small town located in a valley of beautiful Appalachian Mountains and proclaims itself the "Friendliest City in the USA."

Mountaineer Pride is strong in the town, and the local Potomac Valley Hospital is part of the WVU Health System. The largest industries include retail, healthcare, and manufacturing, and the city is a gem for many restaurants along Route 220, the town's thoroughfare. Holidays are marked by parades on Keyser's Main Street, and several festivals occur throughout the year. There's much more to do in Keyser than eat or shop, whether you are a history buff, sportsman, or outdoor enthusiast. Sportsmen fish the world-class trout stream in nearby Barnum on the North Branch of the Potomac River; and there's plenty of fishing, golf, hunting, hiking, biking and canoeing in the nearby mountains and valleys.