The purpose of a state report card is to provide the general public and policymakers with information to assess and improve post secondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2008" is the fifth in a series of biennial report cards that evaluates states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation for post-secondary education and training; (2) Participation; (3) Affordability; (4) Completion; (5) Benefits; and (6) Learning. Respective findings for West Virginia relative to best-performing states include: (1) West Virginia has made strides in preparing young people for college, though compared with other states its performance is only fair; (2) College opportunities for West Virginia residents are only fair; (3) Higher education has become less affordable for students and their families; (4) West Virginia performs well in awarding certificates and degrees relative to the number of students enrolled, but few students complete a bachelor's degree in a timely manner; (5) A very small proportion of residents have a bachelor's degree, substantially weakening the state economy; and (6) Like all states, West Virginia receives an "Incomplete" in Learning because there is not sufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-state comparisons. Based on previous state performance, the percentage of young adults in West Virginia who earn a high school diploma has increased substantially since the early 1990s; college enrollment of young adults in West Virginia has improved substantially since the early 1990s; college enrollment of working-age adults, relative to the number of residents without a bachelor's degree, has increased slightly; the share of family income, after financial aid, needed to pay for college has risen at two-year colleges but has remained relatively stable at four-year institutions; the number of undergraduate credentials and degrees awarded in West Virginia, relative to the number of students enrolled, has increased since the early 1990s; and the percentage of residents who have a bachelor's degree has increased. In addition to information included in the summary report, the full report includes international comparisons, state-by-state 2008 grades and key indicators, frequently-asked questions answers, and available resources. (Contains 11 figures and 9 tables.) [For National Report, see ED503494. For West Virginia state summary, see ED503580.]