Valley College-Martinsburg vs Bethany College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bethany College comes closer — median earnings $44,512 against a $74,420 total, vs $24,900 at Valley College-Martinsburg. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Valley College-Martinsburg | Bethany College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,751 | $18,605 |
| Total net cost | $103,004 | $74,420 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,900 | $44,512 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$572,204 | -$151,380 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Valley College-Martinsburg or Bethany College?
Bethany College, at $18,605 a year after aid versus $25,751 — a gap of $7,146 a year, or $28,584 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Valley College-Martinsburg or Bethany College graduates earn more?
Bethany College graduates report a median $44,512 ten years after entry, $19,612 more than the $24,900 at Valley College-Martinsburg. 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, Valley College-Martinsburg or Bethany College?
Valley College-Martinsburg: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Bethany College, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Valley College-Martinsburg, against 47% at Bethany 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.