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BridgeValley Community & Technical College vs Davis & Elkins College: which has better ROI?

Public, South Charleston WV · vs · Private nonprofit, Elkins WV

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Davis & Elkins College comes closer — median earnings $43,411 against a $73,092 total, vs $36,432 at BridgeValley Community & Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeDavis & Elkins College
Net price / yr$4,565$18,273
Total net cost$9,130$73,092
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,432$43,411
Median debt$9,829$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$247,690-$172,072

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College?

BridgeValley Community & Technical College, at $4,565 a year after aid versus $18,273 — a gap of $13,708 a year, or $63,962 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College graduates earn more?

Davis & Elkins College graduates report a median $43,411 ten years after entry, $6,979 more than the $36,432 at BridgeValley Community & Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College?

BridgeValley Community & Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,829 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Davis & Elkins College, a difference of $17,171. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Davis & Elkins College, against 34% at BridgeValley Community & Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

BridgeValley Community & Technical College vs Davis & Elkins College: frequently asked questions

Is BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College a better value?
Davis & Elkins College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College?
BridgeValley Community & Technical College: $4,565/yr net price after aid versus $18,273/yr at Davis & Elkins College — a difference of $13,708 a year, or about $63,962 over four years.
Do BridgeValley Community & Technical College or Davis & Elkins College graduates earn more?
Davis & Elkins College graduates earn a median $43,411 ten years after entry, versus $36,432 at BridgeValley Community & Technical College — a $6,979 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.