Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Concord University #837 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $45,035, placing Concord University in the 2.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Concord University #1045 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Concord University #837 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Athens, West Virginia, Concord University enrolls roughly 1,504 undergraduates. Retention is 64.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 39.0%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where Concord University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Concord University #1293 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,778 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Concord University in the 37.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects both the university's liberal arts foundation and its ability to position students into careers with meaningful long-term financial upside. Access and affordability anchor the institution's broader mission. Concord University enrolls 49.5% Pell-eligible students and 47.7% first-generation college students, serving a population that benefits from the university's regional tuition structure and need-based aid reach. Azimuth ranks Concord University in the 52.9 percentile for access and the 92.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students seeking a small, affordable public university with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost, Concord University delivers a reliable financial pathway grounded in both access and long-term return.
Concord University's published cost of attendance is $20,434. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $8,021, middle-income families pay around $10,438, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,472. Azimuth ranks Concord University #106 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Concord University's aid structure combines federal, state, and institutional need-based aid. Most students apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and federal loans. The net-price figures above reflect the typical aid package after grants and scholarships are applied, though actual packages depend on individual financial circumstances and the aid programs for which students qualify. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,900, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,844; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $45,035, median federal debt of $18,900 projects to a monthly payment of about $214 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Concord University is a strong fit for students seeking a liberal arts-focused education at a public institution in WV, particularly those interested in Liberal Arts fields who want to graduate with manageable debt. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $45,035, placing Concord University in the 2.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,778 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a significant population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 49.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 47.7% are first-generation. This access is paired with a net price for higher-income families of $15,472 and median federal debt of $18,900 at graduation. Fit depends on alignment with the institution's liberal arts focus and regional setting. Students seeking specialized professional programs or urban campus environments may find better matches elsewhere in WV's public system.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Concord University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Concord University's published cost of attendance is $20,434. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $8,021, middle-income families pay around $10,438, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,472.
Azimuth ranks Concord University #106 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Concord University's aid structure combines federal, state, and institutional need-based aid. Most students apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and federal loans.
The net-price figures above reflect the typical aid package after grants and scholarships are applied, though actual packages depend on individual financial circumstances and the aid programs for which students qualify. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,900, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,844; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $45,035, median federal debt of $18,900 projects to a monthly payment of about $214 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Concord University earn median 4-year earnings of $45,035, placing Concord University in the 2.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,778 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Concord University in the 37.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Concord University #1293 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to WV's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern reflects Concord University's liberal arts foundation and regional labor-market alignment. General Studies is the largest program with 72 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $39,566, representing 0.7x the national benchmark for the field.
The Business Administration program graduates 47 students earning $45,815, and the The Biology, General program graduates 35 students earning $52,670. Together, these foundational programs anchor the institution's outcomes and reflect the broad access mission typical of regional public universities in Appalachia.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christopher Newport University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#28143 ranked) | VA | 86% | $60,509 | #28143 | Compare |
Plymouth State University Similar quality tier (#28135 ranked) | NH | 88% | $57,304 | #28135 | Compare |
Kentucky State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#28148 ranked) | KY | 96% | $36,382 | #28148 | Compare |
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill Similar quality tier (#28153 ranked) | NY | 84% | $45,030 | #28153 | Compare |
Keene State College Similar quality tier (#27595 ranked) | NH | 90% | $54,368 | #27595 | Compare |
Biology, General
35 graduates
Social Work
24 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
47 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
30 graduates
Psychology, General
12 graduates
Concord University's program mix reflects its identity as a liberal arts institution anchored in foundational disciplines. General Studies is the largest program with 72 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Biology, General, Teacher Education, and Social Work.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 300 students annually, the institution's strength lies in programs that prepare students for stable, accessible career pathways rather than specialized technical fields. The earnings pattern reflects the liberal arts profile.
Biology, General leads with median earnings of $52,670 four years after enrollment, followed by Social Work at $46,324, Business Administration at $45,815, Teacher Education at $44,168, and Psychology, General at $41,259. These outcomes represent solid early-career earnings for graduates entering fields like education, business, and social services—sectors where Concord University concentrates its degree production.
Many of Concord University's largest programs serve as pathways to stable, locally rooted careers. Education and business-related fields are common entry points for students seeking employment in West Virginia and neighboring regions, where demand for teachers, administrators, and business professionals remains steady.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional labor-market conditions and long-term wage trends.
