10-yr median earnings
$40,492
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Institute, West Virginia
West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University is a public institution in Institute, West Virginia. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $11,139
- Avg net price / yr
- $40,492
- 10-yr median earnings
- 36.1%
- 150%-time completion
- 96.0%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
West Virginia State University pairs modest former-student earnings with open admission.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- 49th pct.
- former-student earnings, US
- 96.0%
- acceptance rate
- 36.1%
- 150%-time completion
- +23%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
Suburb: Midsize
Carnegie: Master's (S)
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this West Virginia State University profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
F
College Value Score
38/100
West Virginia State University
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings D
$40,492
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price B
$11,139
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate F
36.1%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$23,338
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment F
47.2%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention F
56.7%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$11,139
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
36.1%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 36.1%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - West Virginia State University vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How West Virginia State University ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
West Virginia State University: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$40,492 49th percentile higher than 49% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | West Virginia State University | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $40,492 | #2599 of 5103 | 49th |
| Average net price | $11,139 | #1338 of 5020 | 73rd (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 36.1% | #3889 of 4858 | 20th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,321 | #1890 of 5462 | 65th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
1,321
Undergraduate enrollment
96.0%
Acceptance rate
955
SAT average
36.1%
150%-time completion
$40,492
10-yr median earnings
56.7%
First-year retention
How West Virginia State University ranks in West Virginia
State rank among 59 reporting West Virginia colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | West Virginia State University | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $40,492 | #25 of 59 | 58th |
| Average net price | $11,139 | #36 of 61 | 41st (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 36.1% | #43 of 56 | 23rd |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,321 | #12 of 64 | 81st |
Highest former-student earnings in West Virginia
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition | $69,666 | - |
| 2 | Wheeling University | $57,949 | $20,503 |
| 3 | West Virginia University | $55,939 | $15,634 |
| 4 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology | $55,939 | $9,337 |
| 5 | Potomac State College of West Virginia University | $55,939 | $9,197 |
| 6 | University of Charleston | $55,774 | $22,107 |
| 7 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | $51,593 | $18,083 |
| 8 | Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center | $51,465 | -$767 |
| 9 | Shepherd University | $49,358 | $11,363 |
| 10 | United Technical Center | $49,130 | $3,461 |
| 11 | Fairmont State University | $46,857 | $9,032 |
| 12 | Marshall University | $46,354 | $7,502 |
| 25 | West Virginia State UniversityThis school | $40,492 | $11,139 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 96.0% |
| SAT Average | 955 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 350 – 490 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 410 – 550 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 15 – 20 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at West Virginia State University
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$9,457 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$10,225 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$10,703 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$17,355 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at West Virginia State University - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $9,570 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $14,990 |
| Average Net Price | $11,139 |
20.1%
Pell Grant Rate
17.9%
Federal Loan Rate
$23,338
Median Debt
$247/mo
Monthly Payment
2013–2023: what West Virginia State University costs has stayed close to flat
Average net price moved +18.6% over 10 years, from $8,595 to $10,191 in nominal dollars. The median college measured over the same span moved +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $8,5952023 · $10,191
Over the same years, enrollment went -39.5% (2,195 → 1,328 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
53.6%
Female
43.4%
First Generation
Outcomes
56.7%
Retention Rate
$32,849
Median Earnings (6yr)
47.9%
Earning Over $25K
47.2%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 36.1% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 56.7% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $32,849 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $40,492 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 47.9% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 47.2% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $23,338 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $247/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 12 | 292 | $42,274 | $50,169 | $25,123 |
| Master's | 1 | 24 | - | - | - |
Top programs at West Virginia State University by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$50,169 median earnings
- Criminal Justice and Corre…
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$50,063 median earnings
- Liberal Arts and Sciences,…
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$47,026 median earnings
- Sports, Kinesiology, and P…
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$46,622 median earnings
- Teacher Education and Prof…
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$43,924 median earnings
- Psychology, General
Psychology, General
$42,434 median earnings
- Social Work
Social Work
$41,571 median earnings
- English Language and Liter…
English Language and Literature, General
$40,303 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | 65 | $50,169 | $24,700 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's | 36 | $50,063 | $22,532 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's | 53 | $47,026 | $24,750 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's | 25 | $46,622 | $20,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | 35 | $43,924 | $24,000 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 24 | $42,434 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | Bachelor's | 18 | $41,571 | $31,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | Bachelor's | 8 | $40,303 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's | 15 | $37,866 | $28,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's | 2 | $22,764 | - |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's | 24 | - | - |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | Bachelor's | 8 | - | - |
| History | Bachelor's | 3 | - | - |
Nearby Schools
Ben Franklin Career Center
Dunbar, WV
78 students
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston
Cross Lanes, WV
394 students
BridgeValley Community & Technical College
South Charleston, WV
1,854 students
University of Charleston
Charleston, WV
2,259 students
Strayer University-West Virginia
Scott Depot, WV
234 students
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
The University of Montana-Western
Dillon, MT
+$658/year · $6/year apart
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX
+$673/year · $10/year apart
Blinn College District
Brenham, TX
+$676/year · $12/year apart
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
Center Valley, PA
+$677/year · $13/year apart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at West Virginia State University? ▼
West Virginia State University is a public institution in Institute, West Virginia. The acceptance rate is 96.0%. The average SAT score is 955. Undergraduate enrollment is 1,321 students.
How much do West Virginia State University former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at West Virginia State University who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $40,492 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $32,849.
How much does West Virginia State University cost? ▼
The average net price at West Virginia State University is $11,139. In-state tuition is $9,570 and out-of-state tuition is $14,990. Median student debt at graduation is $23,338.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia State University? ▼
West Virginia State University has a 36.1% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 56.7%.
Is West Virginia State University worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at West Virginia State University is $23,338, while former students earn a median of $40,492 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 58% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 47.2% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $247.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from West Virginia State University
- Compare West Virginia State University against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in West Virginia side by side.Browse West Virginia
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.