Concord University
#1 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 41% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,703 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,966 B
- 42% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $30.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,155,029.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 41% — 29% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Concord University Matters
Concord University is a public university in Athens, WV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,504
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions
Why students choose Concord University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 830–1090. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,966 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,703 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $18,900 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 52% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.51 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 93%, Concord University is a welcoming option for students seeking a supportive learning environment. It suits those who thrive in smaller settings, given its enrollment of around 1,500 students. Here, you can dive into programs like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. These fields offer practical skills and knowledge that can directly translate into career opportunities.
After graduation, the average earnings for Concord alumni hover around $42,703 after ten years. While the graduation rate stands at 41%, the data suggests that those who do complete their degrees often find themselves in better financial positions. The affordability of attending is significant, with a net price of about $9,966, making it a feasible option for many. The fact that 50% of students receive Pell Grants underscores the university’s commitment to helping those who may need financial assistance.
When it comes to the bottom line, the median debt for graduates sits at $18,900, which is manageable given the earning potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those looking for a close-knit community and supportive faculty. If you're someone who values a personal touch in education and a clear path to career preparation, this could be a great fit for you.
Rankings
- #1 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
- #4 Best Colleges in West Virginia
- #4 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #4 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #4 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Concord University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Concord University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, West Virginia, Concord University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 977. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 977
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 830–1090
- ACT Range
- 17–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 82%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,270
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
- Applicants
- 1,730
- Admitted
- 1,581
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Concord University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 18% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 18%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 11%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 21%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 32% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Concord University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Concord University is $22,000, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,966. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,021 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,900 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,664
- Out-of-State
- $22,000
- Avg Net Price
- $9,966
- Median Debt
- $18,900
- Pell Grant Rate
- 50%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,021
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,930
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,438
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,472
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Concord University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Concord University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Concord University report median earnings of $42,703, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,094
- 8 Years
- $38,712
- 10 Years
- $42,703
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (116)
- 28%
- 100% (116)
- 28%
- 100% (116)
- 28%
- 100% (116)
- 28%
How Concord Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Concord University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Concord University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,966/year ($39,864 total). Graduates earn $42,703 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,194,893 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,155,029 (30.0× your investment). The median debt is $18,900, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,864
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,194,893
- Net Return
- $1,155,029
- ROI Multiple
- 30.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,966
- Median Debt
- $18,900
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Concord University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Concord University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.43%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.43%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $90,758
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,409,479
- Investment Income
- $-801,568
Top Programs
The fields Concord University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 22% $29,247 early-career
- Education 14% $40,260 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $32,345 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $43,782 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $25,828 early-career
- Psychology 6% $29,935 early-career
- Social Sciences 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $32,553 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Concord University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Concord University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, West Virginia, Concord University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 977. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Concord University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Concord University is $22,000, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,966. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,021 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,900 in federal student loans.
Is Concord University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Concord University report median earnings of $42,703, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Concord University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Concord University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.43%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Concord University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Concord University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Concord University offer Early Decision?
No. Concord University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Concord University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Concord University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Concord University?
About 18% of admitted students choose to enroll at Concord University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Concord University.
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty, WV · Close peer60% grad $43,296 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS · Close peer47% grad $41,991 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mississippi University for WomenColumbus, MS · Close peer42% grad $46,128 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbia CollegeColumbia, SC · Close peer45% grad $41,338 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC · Close peer43% grad $43,888 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Concord University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Concord University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note