At $24,526/yr net price, Valley College-Beckley graduates earn $24,070/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,526 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,104 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $24,070/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-9,930/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,254/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,692/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $29,314/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $24,904 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $23,538 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $18,967 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $16,416 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
62.5% of students at Valley College-Beckley graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The math at Valley College-Beckley does not work. You pay about $24,500 a year in net price and earn a median of $24,070 ten years after enrolling. That means a single year of cost roughly equals a full year of your future salary, and this is a two-year school, so you are likely paying that price twice.
None of the programs here escape this problem. The best-paying option, the associate in Health and Medical Administrative Services, lands you around $24,900 a year. That is the ceiling. The HVAC certificate pays less, Business Administration pays under $21,500, and the Allied Health and Medical Assisting certificate bottoms out near $16,400. Every one of these leaves you earning close to or below what a year of attendance costs. No bachelor's programs are listed, so there is no higher-earning path to point you toward.
The one bright spot is debt. Median debt sits at $9,500, low enough that you are unlikely to drown in loan payments. But low debt only helps if your income covers your living costs, and salaries in this range make that hard. The 62.5% graduation rate is decent for the sector, so finishing is realistic , the payoff for finishing is the issue.
Net price barely moves with income here. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $24,254. if you earn $48-75k, you actually pay more, near $29,300. There is no meaningful low-income discount, so lower earners carry the same heavy cost as everyone else.
This school is a weak financial bet for almost anyone. If you want the medical administrative training and can commute cheaply, a community college offering the same associate at a fraction of the price will serve you far better. Look there first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valley College-Beckley worth the cost?
With graduates earning $24,070 ten years after enrollment and annual costs of $24,526, Valley College-Beckley barely breaks even financially. The low graduation rate of 62.5% adds risk to an already marginal investment.
What are the best paying programs at Valley College-Beckley?
Health and Medical Administrative Services offers the highest earnings at around $24,900, followed by HVAC programs at $23,500. Most other programs, including Allied Health services, pay significantly less at $16,400.
How much student debt do Valley College-Beckley graduates have?
The median debt is $9,500, which is relatively manageable. However, given the low starting salaries of most programs, even this modest debt load represents a significant burden for graduates.
Does Valley College-Beckley have good job placement after graduation?
The 62.5% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their programs, which raises questions about job placement success. With earnings barely exceeding the cost of attendance, employment outcomes appear mixed at best.