West Virginia University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$38,592
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,181/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
428%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
West Virginia University's in-state tuition costs $9,648. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $43,805. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $45,181, and after ten years, earnings reach $55,939. The median debt for graduates is $22,500, and 44.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.51. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation suggests a break-even timeline of approximately 0.7 years, meaning graduates can potentially earn back their tuition cost and debt within a year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,648
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,181
Graduation Rate
62%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,412 | 388% |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $107,658 | 3665% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $99,588 | 3247% |
| Psychology, General | $41,351 | 229% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,634 | 607% |
| Journalism | $49,434 | 648% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,975 | 2438% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,427 | 544% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $78,022 | 2130% |
| Biology, General | $40,544 | 187% |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $63,291 | 1366% |
Peer Comparison
428%
20yr ROI
531%
20yr ROI
257%
20yr ROI
484%
20yr ROI
453%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.