At $10,191/yr net price, West Virginia State University graduates earn $40,492/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,492/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,191 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,764 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,492/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,492/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,338 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,962/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,652/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,283/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,633/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $24,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $24,700 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $24,750 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $27,504 | $22,532 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $28,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $20,140 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $18,771 | $20,750 |
| History. | Bachelor | $18,401 |
The Risk Factor
33.5% of students at West Virginia State University 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
West Virginia State University runs a low sticker cost but a weak payoff. At roughly $10,000 a year in net price, you're not taking on a huge bill, yet the median graduate earns $40,492 a decade out, and the programs with published data pay far less than that. The financial return here is mixed at best, and for several majors it's poor.
The two numbers that should worry you most are the 33.5% graduation rate and the 63% retention rate. One in three students who enroll finishes, and more than a third don't return after freshman year. If you drop out with debt and no degree, none of the earnings figures apply to you. That risk is the biggest financial threat at this school, bigger than tuition.
Among programs with data, none clears $34,000. Teacher education tops the list yet still pays less than the school-wide median, while social work graduates carry $31,000 in debt against earnings under $30,000. That debt-to-earnings gap in social work is the worst pairing here. Business administration lands in the same low-pay range. If you want a degree that reliably outearns the regional median, none of the listed bachelor's programs delivers it.
Net price barely moves across income bands. Families under $30,000 pay about $8,962, while families earning $75,000 to $110,000 pay $13,633. There's no steep discount for low income, so budget for a real out-of-pocket cost regardless of where you fall.
This school fits you if you're staying local, keeping debt low, and entering teaching or a public-sector job where modest pay is acceptable. If you need a degree to lift your earnings well above $40,000, or if you're unsure you'll finish, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Virginia State University worth the cost?
With median earnings of $40,492 ten years after graduation and a net price of $10,191 annually, West Virginia State University offers reasonable value for the cost. However, the 33.5% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degree, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at West Virginia State University?
Teacher education programs lead earnings at West Virginia State University with graduates making around $34,000 annually. Most other popular programs, including social work and business, produce graduates earning under $30,000 per year.
How much debt do West Virginia State University graduates have?
West Virginia State University graduates leave with a median debt of $23,338. Given that many programs lead to starting salaries under $30,000, this debt load could create financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields.
What is the graduation rate at West Virginia State University?
Only 33.5% of students graduate from West Virginia State University within six years. This low completion rate means many students accumulate debt without earning a degree, making the investment particularly risky.