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West Virginia Wesleyan College vs Potomac State College of West Virginia University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Buckhannon WV · vs · Public, Keyser WV

The verdict

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 22.4 years at West Virginia Wesleyan College, on median earnings of $55,939 vs $51,593 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Virginia Wesleyan CollegePotomac State College of West Virginia University
Net price / yr$18,083$9,197
Total net cost$72,332$18,394
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,593$55,939
Median debt$27,000$22,500
Payback22.4 yrs2.4 yrs
20-year net return-$7,672$133,186

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

Which is cheaper, West Virginia Wesleyan College or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

Potomac State College of West Virginia University, at $9,197 a year after aid versus $18,083 — a gap of $8,886 a year, or $53,938 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do West Virginia Wesleyan College 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, $4,346 more than the $51,593 at West Virginia Wesleyan 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, West Virginia Wesleyan College or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

Potomac State College of West Virginia University: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at West Virginia Wesleyan College, 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.

West Virginia Wesleyan College vs Potomac State College of West Virginia University: frequently asked questions

Is West Virginia Wesleyan College or Potomac State College of West Virginia University a better value?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University. It clears its $18,394 net cost in about 2.4 years versus 22.4 years at West Virginia Wesleyan College, on median earnings of $55,939 vs $51,593 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, West Virginia Wesleyan College or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University: $9,197/yr net price after aid versus $18,083/yr at West Virginia Wesleyan College — a difference of $8,886 a year, or about $53,938 over four years.
Do West Virginia Wesleyan College or Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn more?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn a median $55,939 ten years after entry, versus $51,593 at West Virginia Wesleyan College — a $4,346 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.