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Potomac State College of West Virginia University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Keyser, WV · 853 students

The verdict

Potomac State College of West Virginia University charges a net price of $9,197/yr after aid — a 2-year total of $18,394. Graduates earn a median $55,939 ten years after entry, $7,579/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.4 years — a 20-year net return of $133,186, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Potomac State College of West Virginia University's 2.4-year payback ranks #115 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 91% of them, and #1 of 30 in West Virginia.

Better ROI than 91% of US colleges#115 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$9,197
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,939
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
2.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Potomac State College of West Virginia University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$9,197/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (2 yrs)$18,394our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$55,939Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$7,579/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$22,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback2.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$133,186our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Potomac State College of West Virginia University's own numbers. Net price $9,197 × 2 years = $18,394 total. Median earnings $55,939 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,579 a year of premium. $18,394 ÷ $7,579 = 2.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $133,186. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate with?

A median $22,500 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $55,939 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate?

31% finish their degree — 69% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $18,394 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $59,335 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University expensive compared with other West Virginia colleges?

Its $9,197 net price runs $1,533 below the $10,730 median across the 30 West Virginia colleges we profile, and $3,066 less across the full degree.

Potomac State College of West Virginia University: frequently asked questions

Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Potomac State College of West Virginia University charges $9,197/yr after aid ($18,394 over 2 years), and graduates earn a median $55,939 ten years out — $7,579/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 2.4 years and returns $133,186 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Potomac State College of West Virginia University degree take to pay off?
About 2.4 years. We divide the $18,394 four-year net cost by the $7,579/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Potomac State College of West Virginia University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $9,197/yr — about $18,394 over 2 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Potomac State College of West Virginia University compare to other West Virginia colleges?
It ranks #1 of 30 West Virginia colleges we track by payback. Its $55,939 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $9,197 net price is below the national median of $16,902.