West Virginia University Career Outcomes & Earnings

West Virginia University's strongest pillar is mobility, while its return figures sit close to the model's expected level. Azimuth places the return pillar in the 69th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Graduates earn about $731 more than the model expects for similar students, effectively at the expected level. Earnings beyond expectations, the gap between what graduates earn and what the model expects for similar students, sits in the 58th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.

The part the model attributes to the factors it measures (field of study, enrollment and the local labor market) adds $9,118. The part it attributes to a remainder it does not explain subtracts $8,387.

Federally aided completers who are working and not enrolled earn a median of $64,952 four years after completion, in the 66th percentile. That is $658 below the $65,610 peer median, the middle value for comparable institutions (same type and size).

Near-expected model earnings and below-peer median earnings point to a mixed return picture.

The university’s earnings range depends heavily on program choice: the downside scenario is $50,277 and the upside scenario is $91,063 four years after completion. They are earnings scenarios built from the program mix, not observed groups.

At the program level, median earnings four years after completion are $109,619 in Mining and Mineral Engineering, $99,542 in Electrical Engineering, and $99,180 in Industrial Engineering. These program medians give the modeled range a more specific field-by-field reading.

Further study affects how to read the four-year earnings figure: an estimated 29.2% of graduates continue to graduate study, a figure estimated from the program mix. Those who continue studying are outside the earnings measure, which covers completers who are working and not enrolled.

At West Virginia University, median earnings four years after completion vary markedly across the fields shown here. Industrial Engineering recorded $99,180 and 105 degrees awarded; Azimuth ranks it #26 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions in its field.

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences had median earnings of $70,165 across 167 degrees awarded, with an Azimuth national rank of #8 among nonprofit four-year institutions in its field. Nursing posted $83,750 with 223 degrees awarded; Azimuth places it #202 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions in its field.

At a more moderate earnings level, Kinesiology and Physical Education recorded $57,359 and 200 degrees awarded, ranking #79 nationally by Azimuth among nonprofit four-year institutions in its field. The figures show distinct earnings levels even among programs with substantial numbers of degrees awarded.

The program picture spans 43 nationally ranked bachelor’s fields, with markedly different earnings across them. Azimuth ranks Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy #1 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions; it awarded 26 degrees, and completers had median earnings of $75,022 four years after completion.

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences ranks #8 nationally in Azimuth among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 167 degrees awarded and median earnings of $70,165 four years after completion. Azimuth ranks Security Science and Technology #8 nationally; it awarded 69 degrees and had median earnings of $62,455 four years after completion.

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management ranks #11 nationally, with 54 degrees awarded and $45,348 in median earnings four years after completion.