West Virginia Wesleyan College vs Wheeling University: which has better ROI?
Wheeling University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,012 in 8.6 years versus 22.4 years at West Virginia Wesleyan College, on median earnings of $57,949 vs $51,593 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Virginia Wesleyan College | Wheeling University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,083 | $20,503 |
| Total net cost | $72,332 | $82,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,593 | $57,949 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,125 |
| Payback | 22.4 yrs | 8.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$7,672 | $109,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, West Virginia Wesleyan College or Wheeling University?
West Virginia Wesleyan College, at $18,083 a year after aid versus $20,503 — a gap of $2,420 a year, or $9,680 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 Wheeling University graduates earn more?
Wheeling University graduates report a median $57,949 ten years after entry, $6,356 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 Wheeling University?
Wheeling University: its completers carry a median $25,125 in federal loans versus $27,000 at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a difference of $1,875. 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 23% at Wheeling 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.