Davis & Elkins College
#1 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,411 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $18,273 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $13.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $924,842.
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 38% — 34% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Davis & Elkins College Matters
Davis & Elkins College is a private college in Elkins, 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
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 661
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 66
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Davis & Elkins College
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 94% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,273 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,411 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 95% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.47 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Davis & Elkins College is a welcoming place for students who are looking for a supportive environment to pursue their education. Those drawn to the school often find themselves in popular programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Computer Science & IT. The relatively small enrollment of 661 students fosters a close-knit community where personalized attention is a hallmark of the learning experience.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years post-degree sit at $43,411. While the graduation rate is on the lower side at 38%, it's important to note that those who do complete their degree can find a path to decent earning potential. This suggests that while not every student may finish, those who do can still make a good living in a variety of fields.
When considering the financial side, the net price of attending is about $18,273 after aid, which can be manageable compared to many other private institutions. However, students should also be aware of the median debt load of $27,000, which might be a concern for some. Generally, students who thrive here are those who appreciate a more intimate educational setting and who are motivated to make the most of their academic journey, whether that means diving into health professions or exploring the tech world.
Rankings
- #1 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
- #6 Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
- #8 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia
- #10 Best Business Colleges in West Virginia
- #11 Best Colleges in West Virginia
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #11 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Davis & Elkins College is — and how your numbers stack up.
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Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Davis & Elkins College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Davis & Elkins College, located in Elkins, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,987
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
- Applicants
- 958
- Admitted
- 721
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 Davis & Elkins College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Davis & Elkins College is $31,820, 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 $18,273. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,820
- Out-of-State
- $31,820
- Avg Net Price
- $18,273
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 43%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 63%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,999
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,005
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,690
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,496
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Davis & Elkins College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Davis & Elkins College report median earnings of $43,411, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,495
- 8 Years
- $36,097
- 10 Years
- $43,411
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (76)
- 43%
- 100% (76)
- 43%
- 100% (76)
- 43%
- 100% (76)
- 43%
How Davis 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 Davis & Elkins College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Davis & Elkins College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,273/year ($73,092 total). Graduates earn $43,411 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $997,934 in total earnings — a net gain of $924,842 (13.7× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $73,092
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $997,934
- Net Return
- $924,842
- ROI Multiple
- 13.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,273
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
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 Davis & Elkins College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Davis & Elkins College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.56%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11% 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 5.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.56%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 5.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $68,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,584,540
- Investment Income
- $-8,609,310
Top Programs
The fields Davis & Elkins College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 27%
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Psychology 11%
- Education 7%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Davis & Elkins College'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Davis & Elkins College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Davis & Elkins College, located in Elkins, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Davis & Elkins College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Davis & Elkins College is $31,820, 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 $18,273. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Davis & Elkins College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Davis & Elkins College report median earnings of $43,411, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Davis & Elkins College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Davis & Elkins College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.56%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11% 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 5.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Davis & Elkins College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Davis & Elkins College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Davis & Elkins College.
- William Peace UniversityRaleigh, NC · Close peer45% grad $46,643 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Herzing University-OrlandoWinter Park, FL · Close peer39% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA · Close peer48% grad $43,299 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA · Close peer50% grad $43,326 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Thomas CollegeWaterville, ME · Close peer53% grad $44,991 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Davis & Elkins College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Davis & Elkins College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note