At $19,428/yr net price, Davis & Elkins College graduates earn $43,411/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,411/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,428 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,411/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,411/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,780/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,228/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,783/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,902/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,729/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $50,022 | $20,000 |
The Risk Factor
36.6% of students at Davis & Elkins College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Davis & Elkins College gives you a mixed-to-weak financial picture. Ten years out, median earnings sit near $43,000, and you'd carry $27,000 in debt to get there. That debt-to-earnings ratio isn't a disaster, but it leaves little margin, especially since only 37% of students graduate at all. The bigger risk here is finishing.
The retention number is the warning sign. Just 58% of first-year students come back for year two. If you leave with debt and no degree, the earnings figures above never apply to you, and the loans still come due. Before enrolling, ask hard questions about why so many students don't stay.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so treat the median as your best estimate and don't assume any single major beats it. Elkins is a small rural town in West Virginia, and the regional job market is limited. Plan on relocating for stronger-paying work, or line up local employers before you commit.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns $30,000 to $48,000, you pay the least at about $15,000 a year. Families under $30,000 actually pay slightly more, and the price climbs above $22,000 once you cross $75,000. The middle-income bracket gets the best deal here, not the lowest earners.
This school fits you if you qualify for that middle-income pricing, you're confident you'll finish, and you have a plan to work outside the immediate area after graduation. Look elsewhere if you need high early earnings to service loans, or if you're unsure about sticking through four years, because the low graduation rate makes that gamble expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davis & Elkins College worth the cost?
Davis & Elkins College has mixed ROI potential depending on your major. Nursing graduates earn around $50,000 annually, which justifies the cost, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $43,411 and low 37% graduation rate present significant financial risks.
What is the job market like for Davis & Elkins College graduates?
Davis & Elkins graduates earn $43,411 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. The school's strongest employment outcomes are in nursing programs, where graduates typically find steady work in healthcare.
How much debt do Davis & Elkins College students typically graduate with?
Davis & Elkins students graduate with a median debt of $27,000. With typical starting salaries around $43,000, this creates a manageable but not ideal debt-to-income ratio for most graduates.
Which programs at Davis & Elkins College have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Davis & Elkins offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning approximately $50,000 annually. Other programs generally produce lower earnings that may not justify the college costs for many students.