At $22,012/yr net price, University of Charleston graduates earn $55,774/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,774/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,012 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,048 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,774/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,774/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,938/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,646/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,133/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,526/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,451/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $119,148 | $227,109 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $96,627 | $148,721 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $69,338 | $32,258 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,564 | $19,169 |
| Security Policy and Strategy. | Master | $48,432 | |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $46,478 | $20,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $46,321 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,928 | $22,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $42,682 | $13,000 |
The Risk Factor
46.3% of students at University of Charleston graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Charleston sits in mixed territory. Median earnings ten years out land near $55,800, and median debt of $19,500 is manageable against that. The problem is the 46% graduation rate and 69% retention: if you leave without the degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings that justify it.
Nursing is the clear win here. It pays the most of any program listed, and its debt load stays low relative to that paycheck, so you come out ahead fast. Business Administration earns solidly with moderate debt. Allied Health is the trap: it earns less than nursing but carries the heaviest debt of any program on the list, so you borrow more to earn less.
Teacher Education and Health/Physical Education are the weak spots. Both pay below the school's overall median, and Health/Physical Education graduates earn the least of any program. In West Virginia's job market, neither field gives you room to outrun your loans quickly. Pick these knowing the paycheck is modest.
The specific financial risk at this school is completion. Nearly a third of your entering class won't finish in the standard window, and a partial degree here buys you nothing. Weigh that before you enroll.
Net price barely moves with income. Families under $30k pay about $20,900. families over $110k pay $23,400. That flat structure means low-income families get little relief here, so the sticker cost hits hardest at the bottom.
This school fits you if you're committed to nursing or business and confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're aiming at teaching or fitness careers, or if a $21,000 yearly net price would force heavy borrowing you can't count on the degree to repay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Charleston worth the tuition cost?
University of Charleston's ROI depends heavily on your major. Pharmacy graduates earn $119,148 annually, making the $22,012 net price worthwhile, but other programs like security policy ($48,432) offer weaker returns for the cost.
What are the best paying majors at University of Charleston?
Pharmacy leads at $119,148 annually, followed by allied health professions at $96,627. Business graduates earn $69,338, while nursing graduates make $57,564.
How much debt do University of Charleston graduates typically have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable for pharmacy and allied health graduates but creates challenges for lower-earning majors. About 54% of students don't graduate, meaning many leave with debt but no degree.
Does University of Charleston have good graduation rates?
Only 46% of students graduate, which is below average for four-year colleges. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.