Morgantown, WV · Private University
Is West Virginia University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$55,939
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,648
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,360
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$109,440
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.04x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
61.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,997
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
West Virginia University graduates earn $10,939 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at West Virginia University ranked by graduate earnings
43 graduates
60 graduates
119 graduates
51 graduates
82 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at West Virginia University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At West Virginia University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Petroleum Engineering: $88,983) and the lowest (Hospitality Administration/Management: $30,363) is $58,620/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum EngineeringBest ROI | $88,983 | 3.3x |
| Computer Science | $87,125 | 3.2x |
| Industrial Engineering | $86,715 | 3.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,498 | 3.2x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $85,251 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,975 | 3.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $83,671 | 3.1x |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $82,760 | 3.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $81,841 | 3.0x |
| Computer Engineering | $81,690 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,597 | 2.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,556 | 2.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,240 | 2.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,758 | 2.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $65,223 | 2.4x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $63,291 | 2.3x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $61,350 | 2.2x |
| Chemistry | $60,966 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,001 | 2.2x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $58,896 | 2.1x |
| Marketing | $57,359 | 2.1x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $56,378 | 2.1x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $55,835 | 2.0x |
| Forestry | $54,006 | 2.0x |
| Security Science and Technology | $52,528 | 1.9x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $52,103 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,171 | 1.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $50,020 | 1.8x |
| Journalism | $49,434 | 1.8x |
| Geography and Cartography | $49,126 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,427 | 1.7x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy(1yr data) | $47,232 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,273 | 1.7x |
| History | $45,985 | 1.7x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $45,930 | 1.7x |
| Social Work | $45,128 | 1.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $44,820 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,412 | 1.6x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $44,050 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $43,055 | 1.6x |
| Animal Sciences | $42,426 | 1.6x |
| Psychology, General | $41,351 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $41,214 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $40,544 | 1.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $39,229 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,813 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,250 | 1.4x |
| Music | $38,174 | 1.4x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $37,268 | 1.4x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $37,256 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,959 | 1.2x |
| Plant Sciences | $31,108 | 1.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/ManagementLowest(1yr data) | $30,363 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
West Virginia University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $55,939 10 years after starting, $10,939 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.2 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.