West Liberty University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$34,928
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$1,822/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
19.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
4%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
West Liberty University's in-state tuition costs $8,732. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $38,588. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $36,822, but increase to $43,296 ten years after graduation. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, and 48.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.60. This suggests that the median debt is about 60% of the first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, the tuition cost is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.3 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,732
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$36,822
Graduation Rate
61%
Receive Financial Aid
49%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $34,928 | $37,705 | 55% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $34,928 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $34,928 | $38,686 | 111% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $34,928 | $38,275 | 88% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | $34,928 | $0 | N/A |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | $34,928 | $50,209 | 771% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $34,928 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $34,928 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $34,928 | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $34,928 | $47,409 | 611% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $34,928 | $105,187 | 3919% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $34,928 | $39,855 | 178% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.