College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in West Virginia
Almost heaven, West Virginia is celebrated for its rugged and beautiful countryside, colorful history, coal mining and logging industries, and wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities; the Appalachian Trail passes through the famous West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is headquartered. The state is also home to a number of fine colleges and universities, many of which provide a solid return on investment in Payscale’s College ROI report.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: | 20 Year Net ROI:$607,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$91,800 | Graduation Rate:34% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$19,600 |
| Rank:2 | School Name:_50px.jpg) West Virginia University Institute of Technology (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$561,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$138,000 | Graduation Rate:34% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$19,600 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: - Main Campus_50px.png) West Virginia University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$504,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$96,900 | Graduation Rate:62% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$38,500 |
| Rank:4 | School Name:West Virginia University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$438,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$163,000 | Graduation Rate:62% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$38,500 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Alderson Broaddus University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$415,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$177,000 | Graduation Rate:34% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,700 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: Shepherd University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$261,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$90,500 | Graduation Rate:48% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,300 |
| Rank:7 | School Name:Shepherd University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$220,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$132,000 | Graduation Rate:48% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,300 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Marshall University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$215,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$92,300 | Graduation Rate:50% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$23,700 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Wheeling Jesuit University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$213,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$172,000 | Graduation Rate:70% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$28,300 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Fairmont State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$196,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$82,900 | Graduation Rate:46% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$15,100 |
The West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery is a public college with just 1,100 students, but because of its limited selection of majors (all relatively high-paying fields like engineering, nursing, business management, etc.), it usually promises a high ROI. OWVUIT has made significant advancements in its academic programs since its founding. It was originally a trade school, then a junior college, and now graduates some of the highest earners in West Virginia.
In contrast, nearly 8,000 students attend West Virginia University in Morgantown. Founded as the Agricultural College of West Virginia in 1867, it was quickly renamed the following year and began to offer a larger selection of majors. Famous WVU alumni include basketball star Jerry West, Adam “Pacman” Jones and novelist Ann Pancake.
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