West Liberty University
#2 Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,296 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,366 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $17.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $991,680.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why West Liberty University Matters
West Liberty University is a public university in West Liberty, 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
- 1,511
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose West Liberty 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 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 890–1123. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,366 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,296 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 59% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.52 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, West Liberty University is a welcoming option for students looking to pursue fields like Health Professions, Business, Education, and even Visual Arts. The small enrollment of around 1,511 students creates an environment that can feel close-knit, which is great for those who thrive in a more personal setting. If you’re seeking a place where you can take your time exploring your interests and building connections, this might be a solid fit.
When it comes to life after graduation, graduates can expect an average earning of $43,296 after ten years. This provides a useful benchmark as you consider your potential career path. While the graduation rate stands at 60%, it reflects the diverse challenges students may face. A significant portion, about 32%, of students receive Pell Grants, which indicates a commitment to making education accessible.
Looking at the financial aspect, the net price after aid is approximately $15,366, which is relatively manageable compared to many institutions. With a median debt of $23,250, students should be mindful of their financial commitments. Those who tend to thrive here are likely those who are motivated and ready to navigate both the academic and financial landscape thoughtfully.
Rankings
- #2 Best Biology Colleges in West Virginia
- #4 Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
- #4 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #5 Best Business Colleges in West Virginia
- #6 Best Colleges in West Virginia
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #6 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #6 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective West Liberty 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 West Liberty University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
West Liberty University, located in West Liberty, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,045. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1045
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 890–1123
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,150
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.33
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 1,706
- Admitted
- 1,264
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 West Liberty University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Liberty University is $17,442, 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 $15,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,714 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,893
- Out-of-State
- $17,442
- Avg Net Price
- $15,366
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,714
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,460
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,087
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,566
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 West Liberty 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 West Liberty University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Liberty University report median earnings of $43,296, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,822
- 8 Years
- $41,374
- 10 Years
- $43,296
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (167)
- 36%
- 100% (167)
- 36%
- 100% (167)
- 36%
- 100% (167)
- 36%
How West 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 West Liberty University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, West Liberty University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,366/year ($61,464 total). Graduates earn $43,296 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,053,144 in total earnings — a net gain of $991,680 (17.1× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,464
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,053,144
- Net Return
- $991,680
- ROI Multiple
- 17.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,366
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
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 West Liberty University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Liberty 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 1.29%, well above the typical college. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.29%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $98,095
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,066,789
- Investment Income
- $14,026
Top Programs
The fields West Liberty 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.
- Health Professions 27% $59,931 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $39,006 early-career
- Education 13% $32,231 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11%
- Communications 7% $22,072 early-career
- Humanities 5%
- Psychology 5% $30,624 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $34,164 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 West Liberty 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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Liberty University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
West Liberty University, located in West Liberty, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,045. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Liberty University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Liberty University is $17,442, 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 $15,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,714 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is West Liberty University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Liberty University report median earnings of $43,296, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does West Liberty University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Liberty 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 1.29%, well above the typical college. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is West Liberty 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 West Liberty University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to West Liberty University.
- The University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT · Close peer50% grad $43,229 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME · Close peer52% grad $44,433 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO · Close peer51% grad $46,833 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS · Close peer47% grad $41,991 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Columbia CollegeColumbia, SC · Close peer45% grad $41,338 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is West Liberty 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 West Liberty University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note