Mountain State University, first called Beckley College, was started in 1933 in Beckley. It changed names over the years, becoming the College of West Virginia in 1991 and then Mountain State University in 2001. The school offered many college degrees and had campuses in other states.

However, in 2012, the university lost its accreditation due to problems with leadership and academics. It officially closed that year, and the University of Charleston took over the campus. In 2015, WVU Tech moved to the Beckley campus. The University of Charleston still offers some programs in Beckley today.