Potomac State College of West Virginia University
- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,939 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,197 B+
- 46% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 853
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 39.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $39.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,430,432.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 37% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 28% — 50% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $39.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Potomac State College of West Virginia University Matters
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public community college in Keyser, WV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 853
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Potomac State College of West Virginia 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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,197 a year after grants and scholarships — 46% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.14 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a solid choice for students looking for a close-knit learning environment. With an enrollment of 853, it caters well to those who prefer smaller classes and personalized attention. Students here often dive into programs like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Education, Computer Science & IT, and Engineering, which offer practical skills for today’s job market.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from Potomac State can expect to earn an average of $55,939 within ten years of finishing their degree. This figure is crucial because it highlights the potential return on investment for students. Additionally, the affordability of attending is noteworthy, with a net price of $9,197 after financial aid, making it accessible for many. While the graduation rate stands at 28%, it's important to recognize that there are pathways for success for those who persist.
When considering the cost of attendance, the median debt upon graduation is $22,500, which is manageable for many graduates. The college's Pell Grant rate of 38% indicates that a significant portion of students receive federal aid, helping to alleviate financial burdens. Those who thrive here often appreciate a practical approach to education and are driven to make the most out of their college experience, finding support in a community that values personal connections and growth.
Rankings
- #12 Best Computer Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #12 Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
- #13 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #13 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia
- #16 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #18 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
- #19 Best Business Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Potomac State College of West Virginia University, located in Keyser, West Virginia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,118
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.30
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is $13,200, 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 $9,197. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,375 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,280
- Out-of-State
- $13,200
- Avg Net Price
- $9,197
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 30%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,375
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,807
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,500
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,945
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 Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,181
- 8 Years
- $52,556
- 10 Years
- $55,939
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
How Potomac Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Potomac State College of West Virginia University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,197/year ($36,788 total). Graduates earn $55,939 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,467,220 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,430,432 (39.9× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,788
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,467,220
- Net Return
- $1,430,432
- ROI Multiple
- 39.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,197
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 50%
- Business & Marketing 16% $47,694 early-career
- Education 10%
- Criminal Justice 6% $35,371 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Engineering 3%
- Health Professions 1% $73,019 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia 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
- 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Potomac State College of West Virginia University, located in Keyser, West Virginia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is $13,200, 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 $9,197. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,375 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
- Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown, OH · Close peer28% grad $55,076 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyBeckley, WV · Close peer34% grad $55,939 earn 37% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Ohio State University-Marion CampusMarion, OH · Close peer26% grad $60,409 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Maria College of AlbanyAlbany, NY · Close peer34% grad $55,458 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Trocaire CollegeBuffalo, NY · Close peer24% grad $55,318 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Christian Brothers UniversityMemphis, TN · Close peer55% grad $57,478 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note