Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at West Virginia University vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and business programs typically delivering the strongest earnings while liberal arts and social science programs show more modest outcomes. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 57 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at West Virginia University.
#7 nationally
$63K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size to help evaluate outcomes and investment levels.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at West Virginia University.
Engineering programs at West Virginia University deliver exceptionally strong earnings outcomes, with Petroleum Engineering graduates earning $88,983 and Industrial Engineering graduates earning $86,715. These programs rank among the top nationally, with Industrial Engineering placing #24 and Petroleum Engineering ranking #9.
Mechanical Engineering, the largest engineering program with 170 graduates, produces median earnings of $83,975. This group consistently demonstrates excellent return on investment despite higher debt levels, making it well-suited for students prioritizing long-term earning potential in technical fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering. |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation earnings and debt outcomes rather than academic reputation or prestige measures. Earnings data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 10 years after enrollment, requiring minimum cohort sizes for privacy protection. Rankings compare programs nationally and within West Virginia, providing context for both competitive positioning and state-level opportunities. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall return on investment. Students should consider these outcomes alongside personal interests, graduate school plans, and career goals, recognizing that individual results vary significantly based on career choices, geographic location, and continuing education. Data reflects recent graduate cohorts and may not predict future labor market conditions or program evolution.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| #7 |
| $88,983★ |
| — |
| 87 |
| Computer Science. | #132 | $87,125 | — | 49 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #25 | $86,715 | $38,106 | 101 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #119 | $86,498 | — | 64 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #33 | $85,251 | $60,980 | 69 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #112 | $83,975 | $53,764 | 170 |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering.Small sample | #5 | $82,760 | — | 16 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #99 | $81,841 | — | 60 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #98 | $81,690 | — | 35 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #131 | $71,556 | $36,664 | 88 |
| Artificial Intelligence.Small sample | #182 | $65,223 | — | 13 |
Business programs show strong earnings variation, ranging from Banking and Financial Support Services at $71,597 to Digital Marketing at $57,359. Accounting Technology produces graduates earning $69,240 with relatively low debt, achieving a strong value score of 70.2.
Business Administration graduates earn $60,001 with moderate debt levels. These programs rank consistently at the state level while offering diverse career pathways.
This group suits students seeking practical business education with clear employment prospects across multiple industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Resources Management. | #16 | $83,671★ | — | 50 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #88 | $71,597 | $51,745 | 132 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #80 | $69,240 | $20,455 | 116 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #44 | $61,988 | — | 21 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #167 | $60,001 | $38,487 | 126 |
| Digital Marketing. | #142 | $57,359 | $47,863 | 121 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #54 | $56,378 | $52,705 | 72 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #91 | $30,363 | — | 20 |
Health programs center on Adult Health Nursing, which graduates 208 students annually with median earnings of $67,758. While ranking #195 nationally, the program maintains strong in-state positioning and provides essential healthcare workforce development.
Debt levels average $23,840, creating manageable repayment conditions given nursing salary expectations. Exercise Science and Kinesiology shows lower earnings at $47,427 but serves as preparation for graduate study in health fields.
This group fits students pursuing healthcare careers with strong regional employment demand.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #203 | $67,758★ | $23,840 | 208 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #18 | $63,380 | — | 37 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist. | #44 | $61,350 | — | 25 |
| Dental Assisting/Assistant. | #21 | $58,896 | — | 21 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator.Small sample | #75 | $39,229 | — | 17 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #104 | $37,256 | $53,043 | 72 |
Science programs show dramatic variation, from Aerospace Physiology and Medicine ranking #1 nationally with $63,291 earnings to Biology graduates earning $40,544. Aerospace Physiology represents a unique program strength with perfect value scores, while traditional Biology programs show modest outcomes typical of pre-professional tracks.
Many science graduates continue to graduate study, with approximately 28.5% pursuing advanced degrees. This group serves students planning research careers or professional school preparation rather than immediate workforce entry.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine. | #1 🏆 | $63,291★ | $39,737 | 139 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #61 | $60,966 | — | 23 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #55 | $44,050 | — | 56 |
| Biology, General. | #316 | $40,544 | $36,278 | 153 |
Social science programs include standout performance in Criminology, ranking #14 nationally with graduates earning $49,643, alongside more typical outcomes in Psychology at $41,351. These programs often serve as preparation for graduate study or public service careers rather than immediate high earnings.
Value scores remain modest due to earnings relative to debt, though many graduates pursue advanced degrees that improve long-term prospects. This group suits students interested in human behavior, policy, or public service with understanding of earnings limitations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #214 | $51,171★ | $56,538 | 83 |
| Criminology. | #16 | $49,643 | — | 138 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | #49 | $49,126 | — | 11 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #93 | $45,128 | $29,043 | 57 |
| Applied/Public Sociology.Small sample | #225 | $43,055 | $58,058 | 10 |
| Psychology, General. | #267 | $41,351 | $41,997 | 167 |
Broadcast Journalism ranks #25 nationally, graduating 180 students with median earnings of $49,434, though debt levels reach $40,209. The program demonstrates strong national recognition while serving significant student demand.
Communications programs typically prepare students for media, marketing, and corporate communication roles with moderate earnings expectations. This group fits students passionate about media and communication fields, accepting moderate financial returns for career satisfaction and creative expression opportunities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #25 | $49,434 | $40,209 | 180 |
General Studies serves as the largest program with 331 graduates earning $44,412, ranking #47 nationally and achieving strong value scores of 74.6. This interdisciplinary approach provides flexible preparation for diverse career paths or graduate study.
While earnings are moderate, the program's size and ranking suggest institutional strength in liberal education. This group fits students seeking broad academic preparation or those undecided on specific career paths, offering flexibility with modest financial expectations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #60 | $50,020★ | $58,047 | 65 |
| American History (United States). | #93 | $45,985 | $25,726 | 44 |
| Applied Linguistics.Small sample | #47 | $45,930 | — | 16 |
| General Studies. | #50 | $44,412 | $25,216 | 331 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #206 | $38,250 | $27,450 | 47 |
| Brass Instruments. | #54 | $38,174 | — | 45 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #113 | $33,959 | $34,850 | 45 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics.Small sample | #97 | $24,267 | — | 15 |
| Acting. | #165 | $18,118 | — | 25 |
Agricultural Teacher Education. leads education with 46K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #71 | $46,273★ | $41,814 | 58 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #174 | $41,214 | — | 31 |
Agricultural Animal Breeding graduates 106 students earning $42,426 with moderate debt levels of $29,363, ranking #28 nationally. The program reflects West Virginia University's land-grant mission and regional agricultural economy.
While earnings are modest, graduates often work in rural areas with lower living costs or continue to graduate study. This specialized field serves students committed to agricultural science and rural economic development with understanding of sector-specific compensation patterns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #17 | $55,835★ | $38,323 | 64 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management. | #8 | $54,006 | — | 28 |
| Bioenergy. | #8 | $47,232 | — | 32 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #28 | $42,426 | $29,363 | 106 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | #12 | $37,268 | $27,420 | 58 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #41 | $31,108 | — | 26 |
Criminal Justice graduates earn 53K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminalistics and Criminal Science. | #8 | $52,528 | $60,475 | 53 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology. leads other & interdisciplinary with 47K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #132 | $47,427★ | $53,758 | 172 |
| Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management.Small sample | #23 | $41,378 | — | 10 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #59 | $38,813 | $38,428 | 46 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
