Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Charleston #703 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,945, placing University of Charleston in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Charleston sits in the 37.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks University of Charleston #703 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Charleston, West Virginia, University of Charleston enrolls roughly 2,259 undergraduates. Retention stands at 74.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 45.6%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where University of Charleston performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Charleston #421 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,945, and University of Charleston sits in the 37.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field that consistently delivers strong early-career financial outcomes and positions graduates for sustained earnings growth. Access and affordability represent the lower-ranked pillars in the composite. University of Charleston sits in the 61.7 percentile for access and the 59.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a smaller private institution, University of Charleston enrolls 31.4% Pell-eligible students and 43.1% first-generation undergraduates. Mobility outcomes sit in the 3.2 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's reach into low-income and first-generation populations remains more limited than at broader-access peer institutions.
University of Charleston's published cost of attendance is $46,470. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,427, middle-income families pay around $16,945, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,795. Azimuth ranks University of Charleston #573 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. The university's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the institution participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated need through grants and scholarships rather than loans alone. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,300; 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 typical four-year earnings scenario of $68,945, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Charleston is a strong fit for students interested in business and applied fields who want a private university experience in West Virginia. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,945, placing University of Charleston in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,824 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 37.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a mix of students - 31.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.1% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $23,795, with need-based aid available to help close the gap for qualifying students. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 61.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business fields which represent 67% of graduates. Students whose interests align with these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
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 University Of Charleston 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.
University of Charleston's published cost of attendance is $46,470. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,427, middle-income families pay around $16,945, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,795.
Azimuth ranks University of Charleston #573 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.
The university's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the institution participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
The difference between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated need through grants and scholarships rather than loans alone. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,300; 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 typical four-year earnings scenario of $68,945, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 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 University of Charleston earn median 4-year earnings of $68,945, placing the university in the 72.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,824 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Charleston in the 37.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Charleston #421 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings profile reflects University of Charleston's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 371 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $74,791, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 62 students earning median 4-year earnings of $83,847, while Kinesiology and Accounting round out the top programs with 22 and 21 graduates respectively.
Accounting delivers median 4-year earnings of $71,104 at 0.9x the national benchmark, while Biology, General graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,958 at 1.1x benchmark.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
West Virginia Wesleyan College Higher acceptance rate (30.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 88 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WV | 95% | $51,593 | Compare |
Marietta College Higher acceptance rate (14.1 percentage points higher) and located 75 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 79% | $57,180 | Compare |
Ohio University-Main Campus Higher acceptance rate (20.2 percentage points higher) and located 73 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 85% | $52,581 | Compare |
Campbell University Higher acceptance rate (29.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NC | 94% | $54,886 | Compare |
East Carolina University Higher acceptance rate (25.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NC | 90% | $55,146 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rivier University Similar quality tier (#21398 ranked) | NH | 83% | $52,248 | #21398 | Compare |
Quinnipiac University Similar quality tier (#21399 ranked) | CT | 72% | $83,759 | #21399 | Compare |
University Of Denver Similar quality tier (#21383 ranked) | CO | 78% | $71,155 | #21383 | Compare |
Everglades University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#21407 ranked) | FL | 81% | $47,597 | #21407 | Compare |
University Of Indianapolis Similar quality tier (#21411 ranked) | IN | 67% | $53,610 | #21411 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
62 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
371 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
22 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
13 graduates
Biology, General
21 graduates
University of Charleston's program mix centers on business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied-career orientation. Business Administration is the largest program with 371 graduates, followed by Nursing with 62 graduates, Kinesiology with 25 graduates, Accounting with 22 graduates, and Biology, General with 21 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 571 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional employer demand. The highest-earning programs at University of Charleston cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Nursing graduates earn median four-year earnings of $83,847 with 62 graduates, while Business Administration delivers median earnings of $74,791 across 371 graduates. Accounting graduates earn $71,104 and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions delivers $64,571, both reflecting the institution's strength in fields with direct workforce entry and stable employer recruitment in the Charleston region and beyond.
The program portfolio reflects University of Charleston's positioning as a private professional university anchored in business, accounting, and applied health fields. Business represents 67% of graduates, with Social Sciences at 2% and Education at 1%, creating a concentrated pathway into stable, in-demand careers.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
