West Virginia University
West Virginia University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
West Virginia University at a Glance
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, West Virginia University Potomac State College in Keyser, and clinical campuses for the university's medical school at the Charleston Area Medical Center and Eastern Campus in Martinsburg. WVU Extension Service provides outreach with offices in all 55 West Virgin…
1867
159 years old
$889M
$889 million ( FY 2025)
26,046
20,964 undergrad · 5,082 grad
1,222
1,892 acres
Identity
Is West Virginia University Worth It?
West Virginia University offers moderate value at $15,634/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,939, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How West Virginia University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 116 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #47 | West Virginia University | 56 | $15,634 | $55,939 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of West Virginia University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in WV.
Best Programs at West Virginia University
The highest-earning program at West Virginia University is Mining and Mineral Engineering at $66,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $15,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mining and Mineral Engineering graduate from West Virginia University earns $66,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $15,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mining and Mineral Engineering graduates carry $28,654 in median debt vs. $24,864 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,634/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $66,800 | $66,800 | $28,654 |
| Industrial Engineering | $65,400 | $65,400 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,600 | $63,600 | $24,931 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $63,200 | $63,200 | $24,713 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $62,500 | $62,500 | $25,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $62,100 | $62,100 | $24,712 |
| Computer Science | $60,300 | $60,300 | $23,403 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,200 | $60,200 | $25,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $58,800 | $58,800 | $27,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $57,600 | $57,600 | $25,921 |
| Computer Engineering | $56,800 | $56,800 | $26,238 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,700 | $55,700 | $25,497 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,900 | $54,900 | $24,466 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $51,800 | $51,800 | $26,254 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $23,250 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $41,000 | $41,000 | $23,625 |
| Marketing | $40,600 | $40,600 | $25,093 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,500 | $40,500 | $22,069 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,800 | $39,800 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,100 | $38,100 | $22,980 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $35,300 | $35,300 | $21,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,500 | $34,500 | $26,000 |
| Forestry | $34,400 | $34,400 | $24,250 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $32,400 | $32,400 | $25,000 |
| Journalism | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,700 | $31,700 | $26,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,563 |
| Criminology | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,818 |
| Geography and Cartography | $30,800 | $30,800 | $25,188 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,631 |
| Social Work | $30,000 | $30,000 | $27,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $29,200 | $29,200 | $23,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,600 | $28,600 | $22,100 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,300 | $28,300 | $26,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $27,800 | $27,800 | $26,622 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,600 | $27,600 | $24,475 |
| History | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,741 |
| Psychology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $25,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $26,300 | $26,300 | $21,750 |
| Music | $26,300 | $26,300 | $22,036 |
| Biology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $22,171 |
| Political Science and Government | $22,800 | $22,800 | $23,406 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $22,375 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $21,900 | $21,900 | $25,183 |
| Sociology | $19,400 | $19,400 | $25,291 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,900 | $18,900 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $15,500 | $15,500 | $24,864 |
Similar Colleges in WV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Morgantown, WV
- Student Body
- 17,385 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,634
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,939
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500