Compare 9 General Studies. programs in West Virginia. Average earnings: $37,857.
The highest-earning General Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $20K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Shepherd University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $46,744, well above the state average of $37,857. West Virginia University follows at $44,412, while Fairmont State reaches $42,940—demonstrating that regional publics compete effectively in this field regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Shepherd University graduates borrow $21,600 and face a 12.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. For families considering parent loans, Fairmont State leads with a 23.9% family burden, though loan payments still demand careful budgeting.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Shepherd UniversityPublic | $46,744 | 85 | $21,600 | Manageable | $21,546 | High |
| #2 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $44,412 | 331 | $22,500 | Manageable | $32,980 | High |
| #3 | $42,940 | 35 | $21,000 | Manageable | $12,589 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $39,069 | 43 | $23,338 | Challenging | $13,810 | High | |
| #5 | West Liberty UniversityPublic | $38,275 | 43 | $23,250 | Challenging | $16,248 | High |
| #6 | Marshall UniversityPublic | $36,014 | 195 | $23,250 | Challenging | $13,944 | High |
| #7 | Concord UniversityPublic | $34,206 | 73 | $18,900 | Challenging | $11,844 | High |
| #8 | $32,391 | 37 | $18,250 | High | $7,550 | High | |
| #9 | $26,663 | 16 | $25,000 | High | $11,776 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
