At $16,244/yr net price, West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute graduates earn $31,912/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,244 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,976 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $31,912/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-2,088/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,881 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,559/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,226/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,726/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,788/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,559 | $10,830 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $22,861 | $8,125 |
The Risk Factor
85.7% of students at West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute gives you a weak financial return. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit under $32,000, and you pay over $16,000 a year to get there. That gap between what you spend and what you earn is the core problem here.
Your program choice decides everything. The Practical Nursing certificate is the one path that pays: graduates earn close to $39,000, well above the school-wide median, and carry debt around $11,000. The Health and Medical Administrative Services associate degree is the opposite bet. It pays under $23,000 while costing you two years of net price, so you spend more time and money to earn less than the nursing certificate produces in less time.
The main risk is that the associate program costs more up front than the certificate but returns thousands less per year. Low median debt of about $10,000 keeps the downside contained, but earnings this low mean even modest debt eats into a thin paycheck. The 85.7% graduation rate is a real plus, so you are likely to finish what you start.
Net price drops for lower-income families to around $12,000 at the $30-48k income band and climbs to nearly $22,000 if your household earns over $110,000. If your family income is under $48,000, the aid brings the cost closer to reasonable for the nursing track. If you earn over $110,000, you pay the full weight for degrees that pay little.
This school fits you if you want the Practical Nursing certificate, live near Irwin, and want to enter healthcare fast. Skip the administrative associate degree, and look elsewhere if you want any path that clears the low-$30,000 earnings ceiling most graduates hit here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute worth the cost?
The school costs $16,244 per year but graduates earn only $31,912 ten years later, which is below average for college graduates. The low debt load of $9,881 helps, but the return on investment remains poor compared to most colleges.
What programs at West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute have the best job prospects?
Practical nursing graduates earn $38,559 annually, making it the best-paying program at the school. Health and medical administrative services graduates earn significantly less at $22,861, which barely justifies the tuition cost.
How much debt do West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute graduates typically have?
The median debt is $9,881, which is relatively low for a private career college. However, with average earnings of just $31,912 ten years after graduation, even this modest debt burden may be difficult to manage.
Does West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute have good graduation rates?
The school has an 85.7% graduation rate, which is above average for career colleges. Unfortunately, completing the program does not guarantee strong earning potential given the low post-graduation salaries.