West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
West Virginia State University at a Glance
West Virginia State University (WVSU) is a public historically black, land-grant university in Institute, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute. It is one of the original 19 land-grant colleges and universities established by the second Morrill Act of 1890, which evolved as a diverse and inclusive campus. Following desegregation, WVSU's student population slowly became more white than black. As of 2017, WVSU's student body was 75% white and only 8% …
1891
135 years old
$13M
$12.6 million (2021)
3,458
2,095 undergrad · 1,363 grad
100 acres
Identity
Is West Virginia State University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, West Virginia State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,492 — 25% below average — while paying $11,139/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $23,338 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at West Virginia State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How West Virginia State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WV
Ranked #45 of 76 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #4 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #5 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #45 | West Virginia State University | 33 | $11,139 | $40,492 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of West Virginia State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WV.
Best Programs at West Virginia State University
The highest-earning program at West Virginia State University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $34,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $17,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from West Virginia State University earns $34,000, while a History graduate earns $17,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,139/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $26,260 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,700 | $28,700 | $15,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,100 | $28,100 | $23,000 |
| Social Work | $28,000 | $28,000 | $29,589 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,600 | $25,600 | $23,327 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $24,700 | $24,700 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,249 |
| History | $17,500 | $17,500 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in WV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Institute, WV
- Student Body
- 1,321 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,139
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,492
- Median Student Debt
- $23,338