Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks West Virginia State University #1314 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,688, placing West Virginia State University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #1298 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #1314 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 11.4 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Institute, WV, West Virginia State University enrolls roughly 1,321 undergraduates. Retention is 56.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 39.2%, reflecting the institution's commitment to supporting students through degree completion. What anchors West Virginia State University's composite is access and mobility. 20.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.4% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a critical pathway for low-income and first-generation learners in West Virginia. Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #1298 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 12.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,688, placing West Virginia State University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing West Virginia State University in the 29.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. West Virginia State University sits in the 83.9 percentile for affordability and the 16.8 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. With a dominant focus on Business, the university delivers outcomes grounded in workforce alignment and regional economic opportunity. For students seeking an affordable public institution with strong support for low-income and first-generation learners, West Virginia State University offers a direct path to degree completion and stable post-graduation earnings.
West Virginia State University's published cost of attendance is $19,772. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $9,457, middle-income families pay around $10,703, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,355. Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #230 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. West Virginia State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The net-price structure reflects the institution's public tuition base and financial aid reach across income levels. Families applying for aid use the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,338, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,810; 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 $44,688, median federal debt of $23,338 projects to a monthly payment of about $264 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
West Virginia State University is a strong fit for students seeking a public university experience in WV with a focus on Business and related fields. Its outcomes are especially compelling for Pell-eligible and first-generation students, who benefit from broad access and strong graduation rates backed by earnings that exceed those of similar students at most institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $44,688, placing West Virginia State University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $7,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 29.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 20.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.4% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place West Virginia State University in the 5.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.0% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the West Virginia State 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.
West Virginia State University's published cost of attendance is $19,772. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $9,457, middle-income families pay around $10,703, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,355.
Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #230 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.
West Virginia State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The net-price structure reflects the institution's public tuition base and financial aid reach across income levels.
Families applying for aid use the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,338, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,810; 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 $44,688, median federal debt of $23,338 projects to a monthly payment of about $264 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 West Virginia State University earn median 4-year earnings of $44,688, placing West Virginia State University in the 2.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,022 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing West Virginia State University in the 29.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks West Virginia State University #1298 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 12.3 percentile 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 age 25–34 with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on business and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $50,169, performing at 0.7x the national benchmark for the field.
The General Studies program graduates 53 students earning $47,026, and the The Criminal Justice program graduates 36 students earning $50,063. Teacher Education and Kinesiology round out the top five, each contributing to the institution's applied-field focus.
The concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — aligns with regional labor-market demand and supports the earnings outcomes observed across the graduate cohort.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of South Carolina-Sumter Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36079 ranked) | SC | 74% | $42,437 | #36079 | Compare |
University Of Maine At Farmington Similar quality tier (#36069 ranked) | ME | 97% | $44,433 | #36069 | Compare |
Black Hills State University Similar quality tier (#36058 ranked) | SD | 96% | $46,674 | #36058 | Compare |
Colegio Universitario De San Juan Similar quality tier (#36108 ranked) | PR | 75% | $26,510 | #36108 | Compare |
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier (#36027 ranked) | MA | 76% | $43,582 | #36027 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
65 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
36 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
53 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
25 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
35 graduates
West Virginia State University's program mix is anchored in business, education, and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates, followed by General Studies, Criminal Justice, Teacher Education, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 319 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in workforce-aligned fields where graduates move directly into employment. The highest-earning programs at West Virginia State University reflect the institution's applied-professional orientation.
Business Administration graduates earn a median $50,169 four years after enrollment, followed by Criminal Justice at $50,063, General Studies at $47,026, and Kinesiology at $46,622. The largest programs—Business Administration with 65 graduates earning a median $50,169 and General Studies with 53 graduates earning a median $47,026—combine substantial enrollment with solid four-year earnings, anchoring the institution's economic profile.
West Virginia State University positions itself as a regional public institution where program selection directly connects to local and regional labor-market demand. The concentration in Business and related applied fields aligns with workforce needs in West Virginia and surrounding regions, where employers in manufacturing, healthcare, education, and business services recruit actively.
The supply and demand for college graduates provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
