Career Training Path › West Virginia › New River Community and Technical College
New River Community and Technical College
Beaver, West Virginia · Public technical college
Address: 280 University Drive, Beaver, WV 25813 · Phone: (304) 929-5450 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Apr 2025 · Probation · American Physical Therapy Association; Aug 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation. 2 sanction actions in the window.
New River Community and Technical College is a public trade school in Beaver, WV offering LPN, welding, and lineman programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, New River's completion rate is 36.0%, below the West Virginia state average of 68.5%; median graduate debt is $7,250 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $29,073.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for New River Community and Technical College; federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, and about 39.0% of students receive Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $45,690 | $55,360 | $61,300 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,700 | $48,810 | $60,170 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $47,760 | $83,810 | $107,260 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $34,480 | $46,340 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,650 | $38,030 | $46,790 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $35,350 | $46,610 | $62,430 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $28,270 | $37,660 | $49,740 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $29,120 | $34,360 | $39,310 |
| Medical records specialists | $31,610 | $47,360 | $59,950 |
| Medical assistants | $30,890 | $37,180 | $41,140 |
| Massage therapists | $22,450 | $46,600 | $58,520 |
| Machinists | $37,300 | $47,350 | $59,910 |
| Barbers (U.S.) | $28,600 | $38,210 | $58,960 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,570 | $39,250 | $44,570 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in West Virginia (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 30 | not reported | $33,565 | $7,459 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | $5,723 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | $5,723 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 5 | $18,976 | $31,839 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 3 | $18,976 | $31,839 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | $5,723 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
New River Community and Technical College is a public trade and career campus in Beaver, West Virginia. It participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for programs here. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Its most-awarded trade programs are LPN / LVN programs, welding, and lineman training, among 22 program families offered overall including cosmetology, diesel mechanics, medical assisting, and phlebotomy.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 36.0%, which is below the West Virginia state average of 68.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $7,250, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $29,073. About 39.0% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus, located in a fringe rural setting with about 770 undergraduates and 180 trade completers, may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as welding, lineman work, or LPN training rather than longer academic degrees; program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so career changers should confirm scheduling directly with the school. Prospective students should verify accreditation status and outcome figures through the College Scorecard and by contacting the college directly before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
New River offers 22 program families, with LPN / LVN programs, welding, and lineman training among the most awarded. Other offerings include cosmetology, diesel mechanics, medical assisting, and phlebotomy.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 36.0%, which is below the West Virginia state average of 68.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $7,250, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $29,073.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
New River is a public institution, which typically means state funding supports operations and tuition may be lower for state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (304) 929-5450 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?447582.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers hands-on trade programs like welding, lineman training, and LPN programs, which may suit career changers, but specific scheduling and format details for adult learners are not reported for this campus in federal data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact New River Community and Technical College at (304) 929-5450 or through its website, https://www.newriver.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard for nearby institutions offering similar programs.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.