Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
- 14
- Schools
- $40,804
- Avg. Earnings
- 36%
- Avg. Graduation
- $8,844
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,548
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 14 schools run from $28,951 to $55,939, a 1.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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West Virginia University at Parkersburg delivers the most for the money: roughly $35,171 in median earnings against $1,807 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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West Virginia University at Parkersburg is the lowest-cost school here at $1,807 a year in net price.
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West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates 53% of its students, versus a 36% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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New River Community and Technical College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.25× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Shepherd University ($49,358 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($55,939), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- West Virginia University at Parkersburg costs $1,807 a year and Bethany College costs $18,605. Yet their graduates earn $35,171 and $44,512, nowhere near the $16,798 price gap.
- On value, West Virginia University at Parkersburg beats West Virginia University Institute of Technology: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with West Virginia University at Parkersburg and West Virginia Wesleyan College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $40K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Shepherd University #1 overall | $49,358 ▲ +21% vs avg | $11,363 | 50% | 70 |
| 2 Concord University #2 overall | $42,703 ▲ +5% vs avg | $9,966 | 41% | 69 |
| 3 West Virginia Wesleyan College #3 overall | $51,593 ▲ +26% vs avg | $18,083 | 53% | 68 |
| $30,162 ▼ -26% vs avg | $5,329 | 31% | 68 | |
| $40,492 ▼ -1% vs avg | $11,139 | 36% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $40,804 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 36% and an average net price of $8,844.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: West Virginia University at Parkersburg — Net Price: $1,807 | Graduation Rate: 20%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: West Virginia Wesleyan College — 53% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: West Virginia University Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $55,939
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$39,893
Median earnings (10yr)
35%
Median graduation rate
$8,646
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
The median graduation rate across these 14 schools is 35%. Median graduate earnings reach $39,893 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $8,646 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $15,950. Some 36% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $39,893 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Shepherd University lands at #1 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,358 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,363 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Concord University lands at #2 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $42,703 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,966 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
West Virginia Wesleyan College lands at #3 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,593 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,083 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
West Virginia Northern Community College lands at #4 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $30,162 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,329 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
West Virginia State University lands at #5 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $40,492 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Beckley, WV · 37% accepted · $9,337 net
Why it ranks #6
West Virginia University Institute of Technology lands at #6 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,337 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College lands at #7 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $39,293 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,641 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
New River Community and Technical College lands at #8 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $29,073 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,599 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
BridgeValley Community & Technical College lands at #9 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $36,432 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,565 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Bethany College lands at #10 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,512 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,605 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Mountwest Community and Technical College lands at #11 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $28,951 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,083 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Potomac State College of West Virginia University lands at #12 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,197 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Moorefield, WV · $8,095 net
Why it ranks #13
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College lands at #13 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $31,636 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,095 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
West Virginia University at Parkersburg lands at #14 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (23/100). Graduates earn a median $35,171 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,807 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Choosing a college for data science can feel overwhelming, especially in West Virginia where options vary significantly. With a focus on workforce readiness and career outcomes, students are eager to find programs that not only teach the necessary skills but also lead to solid job prospects. The average earnings for data science graduates in this state is about $41,246, a key figure for prospective students and their families to consider.
What sets the top schools apart in this list is their ability to balance strong graduation rates with favorable financial circumstances. Programs that lead to higher earnings often have lower debt burdens, and this list ranks schools based on these critical outcomes. The graduation rate across these colleges averages 36%, which highlights that while many students succeed, there is still room for improvement in supporting students through to completion.
Take Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and Shepherd University as examples. Blue Ridge has a lower graduation rate of 37% compared to Shepherd's impressive 50%, yet Blue Ridge graduates earn about $39,293 annually, which is significantly lower than Shepherd's $49,358. However, Shepherd's debt average is substantially higher at $21,600, compared to Blue Ridge's $13,000. This tradeoff between earnings potential and debt levels is crucial as students evaluate their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 5 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.1%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Concord University leads the group at 1.4%, with West Virginia State University (1.4%) and West Virginia Northern Community College (1.2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. West Virginia Northern Community College enrolls the most, at 17.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 10.2% across the list, peaking at 15.1% at Shepherd University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and West Virginia Wesleyan College is highest at 1.58.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
A closer look at the data reveals a stark contrast between West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Mountwest Community and Technical College. While both schools have similar net prices, with West Virginia at $9,337 and Mountwest at $8,083, their outcomes differ significantly. West Virginia graduates earn $55,939, compared to just $28,951 for Mountwest, despite Mountwest having a lower debt average of $7,446. This highlights how earnings potential can outweigh immediate financial considerations.
For students and families navigating these choices, it's essential to weigh this data against personal priorities. Consider factors like program fit, campus culture, and location. Is a higher earning potential more important than a lower debt burden? Are you willing to compromise on graduation rates for a program that excites you? These questions are vital as you sift through the options.
Ultimately, these decisions shape the path from college to a stable life. Each family's situation is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. A thorough understanding of the financial and academic landscapes can help families make informed choices that align with their long-term goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia ranking? +
Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $49,358 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
West Virginia University Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $55,939 ten years after enrollment, well above the $40,804 average across the 14 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, West Virginia University at Parkersburg leads: graduates earn a median $35,171 against net price of about $1,807 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
West Virginia Wesleyan College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 53%, compared with a 36% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $8,844 a year across the 14 ranked schools with cost data. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is among the most affordable at roughly $1,807. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in West Virginia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 14 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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