About Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Keyser, West Virginia. It enrolls 853 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
70/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes37
Value83
Affordability58
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Potomac State College of West Virginia University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $9,197 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$9,197
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
38%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
30%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$5,280
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$13,200
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,580
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,900
Books & Supplies
$950
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,080
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,080
Total Cost of Attendance
$17,619
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$7,375
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,807
$48,001 – $75,000
$10,500
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,833
Over $110,000
$12,945
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,10610%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$22,500Medianpercentile
$26,25075%percentile
$32,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,336
↓ $6,164
No Pell $14,750
↓ $7,750
Dependent students $15,500
↓ $7,000
Independent students $14,583
↓ $7,917
Female students $16,483
↓ $6,017
Male students $14,924
↓ $7,576
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,864, less than completers ($22,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
50% of full-time students who enrolled at Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduate within six years, and 59% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
50%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
59%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of $55,939 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$55,939
Earning > $25K
81%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$47,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$57,400
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$51,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$56,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,300, about 18% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
19.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 86% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is home to 853 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 30% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
853
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
30%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 83.2%710
Black 5.5%47
Other 4.6%39
Hispanic 4.0%34
International 1.4%12
Asian 0.6%5
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Potomac State College of West Virginia University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteKeyser, West Virginia
Housing
Mostly residential538 beds on campus
Adult Learners
10%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Branch campus
What You Can Study
Potomac State College of West Virginia University offers
a varied set of programs:
14 distinct programs across
10 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,790
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
49 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
17
35%
$73,854
Associate Professors
7
14%
$72,685
Assistant Professors
12
24%
$56,962
Instructors
13
27%
$52,143
Pros & Cons of Potomac State College of West Virginia University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Potomac State College of West Virginia University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
First-year retention is below typical
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a fit for
families focused on keeping net cost low; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
How much does Potomac State College of West Virginia University cost?
The average net price after aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is $9,197 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University worth it?
Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $9,197 per year. That's roughly 6.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Potomac State College of West Virginia University known for?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Potomac State College of West Virginia University are $55,939, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University accredited?
Yes. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University enrolls 853 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates 50% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University a public or private college?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a Public institution.
Where is Potomac State College of West Virginia University located?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is located in Keyser, West Virginia.
What programs does Potomac State College of West Virginia University offer?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University offers 14 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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