Parkersburg, WV · Private University
Is West Virginia University at Parkersburg Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$35,171
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$4,420
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$9,124
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$36,496
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.85x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
213.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
30.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,570
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$3,613
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates earn $9,829 less 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 at Parkersburg ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
17 graduates
20 graduates
127 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at West Virginia University at Parkersburg
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 at Parkersburg, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $73,315) and the lowest (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $38,077) is $35,238/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI(1yr data) | $73,315 | 8.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,593 | 5.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,341 | 4.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLowest | $38,077 | 4.2x |
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 at Parkersburg stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $35,171 10 years after starting, $9,829 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 213.4 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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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.