Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
- 13
- Schools
- $47,517
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,755
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,651
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 13 schools run from $39,315 to $57,949, a 1.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Marshall University delivers the most for the money: roughly $46,354 in median earnings against $7,502 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Marshall University ($7,502 net price), still posts $46,354 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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West Virginia University graduates 63% of its students, versus a 45% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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West Virginia University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.40× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Davis & Elkins College ($43,411 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Wheeling University ($57,949), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Marshall University costs $7,502 a year and Wheeling University costs $20,503. Yet their graduates earn $46,354 and $57,949, nowhere near the $13,001 price gap.
- On value, Marshall University beats Wheeling University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Marshall University and West Virginia University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K ten years after enrollment.
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 Davis & Elkins College #1 overall | $43,411 ▼ -9% vs avg | $18,273 | 38% | 66 |
| 2 Marshall University #2 overall | $46,354 ▼ -2% vs avg | $7,502 | 50% | 63 |
| 3 Concord University #3 overall | $42,703 ▼ -10% vs avg | $9,966 | 41% | 63 |
| $55,939 ▲ +18% vs avg | $15,634 | 63% | 63 | |
| $49,358 ▲ +4% vs avg | $11,363 | 50% | 62 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
This analysis ranks 13 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,517 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $13,755.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Marshall University — Net Price: $7,502 | Graduation Rate: 50%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: West Virginia University — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Wheeling University — Median alumni earnings: $57,949
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$46,354
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$14,006
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Psychology, social work, and counseling programs train a workforce in high and rising demand. Mental-health needs, child and family services, and an aging population all pull for licensed practitioners. The work is essential and licensure-gated. Pay is modest, which makes the economics of the degree unusually sensitive to cost.
Across the 13 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $46,354 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 46%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $14,006 a year, with about $23,250 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 35% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.2%.
What we’re seeing: demand is strong and growing, but the salary ceiling means affordability decides the return. With median earnings around $46,354 and a median net price of $14,006, the best value comes from programs that keep debt well below early-career pay.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Davis & Elkins College lands at #1 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,411 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,273 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
Why it ranks #2
Marshall University lands at #2 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $46,354 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,502 a year, well under 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
Why it ranks #3
Concord University lands at #3 with a 63/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,966 a year, well under 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
Why it ranks #4
West Virginia University lands at #4 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,939 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,634 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 #5
Shepherd University lands at #5 with a 62/100 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, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,363 a year, well under 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 #6
Glenville State University lands at #6 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $39,315 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,006 a year. 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
Why it ranks #7
West Virginia Wesleyan College lands at #7 with a 61/100 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, 9% 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 #8
West Liberty University lands at #8 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,296 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,366 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
Why it ranks #9
West Virginia State University lands at #9 with a 59/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 a year, well under 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
Why it ranks #10
Fairmont State University lands at #10 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $46,857 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,032 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 #11
Bethany College lands at #11 with a 54/100 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, 6% below 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
Beckley, WV · 37% accepted · $9,337 net
Why it ranks #12
West Virginia University Institute of Technology lands at #12 with a 54/100 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, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,337 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Wheeling University lands at #13 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $57,949 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,503 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 13 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right psychology program in West Virginia means weighing options that share a commitment to student success and career readiness. With an average earning potential of $48,646, psychology graduates from these schools have various outcomes to consider as they plan their futures.
The best schools in this ranking stand out through higher graduation rates, lower debt levels, and better earnings after graduation. For instance, West Virginia University in Morgantown boasts a 63% graduation rate, while others like Fairmont State University have a lower rate at 46%. This list reflects how each institution's focus on outcomes can impact a student's journey.
Take West Virginia University and Marshall University as examples. Both schools have similar earning potentials at around $55,939, but WVU has a significantly higher graduation rate of 63% compared to Marshall's 50%. This means that while graduates from both institutions can expect similar salaries, the support and resources available at WVU might provide a more reliable pathway to earning that degree.
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 9 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Marshall University leads the group at 1.7%, with Concord University (1.4%) and Glenville State University (1.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Glenville State University enrolls the most, at 17.8%, 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 11.2% across the list, peaking at 17.6% at Marshall 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 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and West Virginia University is highest at 1.63.
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
When we look at the data, West Virginia University stands out with a graduation rate of 63%, which is much higher than Marshall University's 50%. This difference can be crucial for students weighing their options. Not only does a higher graduation rate suggest better support systems, but it also indicates a stronger likelihood of completing the degree on time, ultimately leading to better career outcomes.
After reviewing these programs, how should you prioritize your choices? Consider not just the earnings and graduation rates, but also factors like campus environment, available resources, and your own financial situation. If a school has a lower net price but higher debt, it might offer a better overall financial picture if you can graduate sooner. Look for schools that align with your academic and personal goals.
The path from college to a stable career relies heavily on these decisions. A degree in psychology can open many doors, but choosing the right program is essential. Students and families should carefully evaluate how each option aligns with their long-term goals. Education is an investment in the future, and making informed choices can lead to a more secure life after college.
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 Psychology Colleges in West Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia ranking? +
Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $43,411 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 38% 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? +
Wheeling University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $57,949 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,517 average across the 13 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, Marshall University leads: graduates earn a median $46,354 against net price of about $7,502 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 University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 63%, compared with a 45% 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 $13,755 a year across the 13 ranked schools with cost data. Marshall University is among the most affordable at roughly $7,502. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 13 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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