Concord University

Concord University is a public university in Athens, West Virginia, serving southern West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region through undergraduate and graduate education. Founded in 1872 as a state normal school, the institution has evolved into a regional university with academic programs in arts and sciences, business, education, and health-related fields. Its campus sits in Mercer County, and the university emphasizes access, student support, and career preparation for learners from West Virginia and beyond. The university offers more than 80 academic programs and concentrations, including degrees in teacher education, business administration, biology, psychology, social work, and nursing pathways tied to health professions preparation. Concord also operates graduate programs, including master’s-level study in areas such as education and business. Athletics are a visible part of campus life: the Concord Mountain Lions compete in NCAA Division II as a member of the Mountain East Conference. Concord University’s mission centers on providing a quality, liberal arts-based education while preparing students for employment, graduate study, and civic engagement. The institution supports traditional undergraduates, transfer students, and adult learners, and it combines classroom instruction with advising, student organizations, residence life, and community-facing activity. As a public institution in West Virginia, Concord plays a regional role in workforce development and educational opportunity, linking academic study with service and professional preparation in a part of the state where access to higher education has long mattered to community and economic life.