University of Charleston vs Potomac State College of West Virginia University: which has better ROI?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $18,394 in 2.4 years versus 11.9 years at University of Charleston, on median earnings of $55,939 vs $55,774 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Charleston | Potomac State College of West Virginia University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,107 | $9,197 |
| Total net cost | $88,428 | $18,394 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,774 | $55,939 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 11.9 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $59,852 | $133,186 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Charleston or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University, at $9,197 a year after aid versus $22,107 — a gap of $12,910 a year, or $70,034 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Charleston or Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn more?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates report a median $55,939 ten years after entry, $165 more than the $55,774 at University of Charleston. 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, University of Charleston or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
University of Charleston: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Potomac State College of West Virginia University, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at University of Charleston, against 31% at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. 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.