Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Keyser, WV 26726
About Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public community college in Keyser, West Virginia, enrolling about 853 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $9,197 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $5,280. Student demographics in federal data include White (83.2%) and Black or African American (5.5%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key findings
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is about 0.6×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 30.96%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $55,939.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1421% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac State College of West Virginia University | $5,280 | $9,197 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| West Virginia (state median) | $9,574 | $9,114 | 36 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Potomac State College of West Virginia University really?
Key findings
- Potomac State College of West Virginia University charges 4% below the national public median tuition ($5,280).
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is about 0.6×.
Potomac State College of West Virginia University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $5,280
Finding Potomac State College of West Virginia University charges 4% below the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $5,280. That is 4% below the national public median ($5,512). Versus the West Virginia median ($9,574), sticker tuition is about 0.6×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.4×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Potomac State College of West Virginia University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Potomac State College of West Virginia University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Potomac State College of West Virginia University is $9,197.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $9,197 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $82 above the West Virginia median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $5,774 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Potomac State College of West Virginia University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Potomac State College of West Virginia University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Potomac State College of West Virginia University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$5,280
Out-of-state tuition
$13,200
Avg. net price
$9,197
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $7,375 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,807 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,500 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,833 |
| $110,001+ | $12,945 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $21,120. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Potomac State College of West Virginia University is known for
Top program completions
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies114
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other31
- 00.001029
- Business Administration and Management, General26
- Education, General25
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Campus
Location
Keyser, WV
City / state
- ZIP
- 26726
- NCES locale
- Town remote
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 39% below the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers
Size
Enrollment
853
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,347
- Full-time share
- 92%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$22,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 37.81%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Potomac State College of West Virginia University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Potomac State College of West Virginia University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $3,336 | $9,288 | $7,006 |
| 2014 | $3,480 | $9,456 | $7,753 |
| 2015 | $3,864 | $10,080 | $8,744 |
| 2016 | $4,056 | $10,416 | $8,249 |
| 2017 | $4,248 | $10,752 | $8,401 |
| 2018 | $4,488 | $11,376 | $8,770 |
| 2019 | $4,536 | $11,544 | $8,635 |
| 2020 | $4,536 | $11,544 | $8,622 |
| 2021 | $4,608 | $11,760 | $8,295 |
| 2022 | $4,752 | $12,120 | $7,935 |
| 2023 | $5,040 | $12,624 | $7,403 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Potomac State College of West Virginia University reported total enrollment of about 853 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 40% male and 60% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (83.2%), Black or African American (5.5%), and Two or More Races (4.5%). About 37.81% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
92.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Potomac State College of West Virginia University in 2024 is 853 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,347 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
57.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
0.00% 100% Completion Time
30.96% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 0.00% of students graduating from Potomac State College of West Virginia University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 35% male / 65% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 61% male / 39% female
- 00.0010: 14% male / 86% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn a median of $55,939 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $55,939. Median federal loan debt: $22,500. Average net price used in cost models: $9,197.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates report median earnings of $55,939 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (16 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Potomac State College of West Virginia University—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.4%
- West Virginia median 16.6 pp above median (58.7%)
- Southeast median 15.9 pp above median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 17.4 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,118
- West Virginia median 1.1× the median ($6,342)
- Southeast median near the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.93× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $3,620
- West Virginia median 0.49× the median ($7,346)
- Southeast median 0.55× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 0.50× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
Potomac State College of West Virginia University at a glance
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public institution in Keyser, WV, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal StudiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other00.0010
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian83.2%Black or African American5.5%Two or More Races4.5%
- Opportunity College (2025)
- Higher access & higher earnings · Browse OCU directory
Schools near Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Other campuses in Keyser, WV when available, plus nearby institutions in West Virginia.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within West Virginia, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Potomac State College of West Virginia University located?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is located in Keyser, WV.
What is Potomac State College of West Virginia University's tuition?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $5,280 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $9,197 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Potomac State College of West Virginia University cost?
Reported tuition is $5,280 and average net price is $9,197 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,580 annually.
What explains Potomac State College of West Virginia University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($9,197), completion (31.0% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($55,939). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,347 students, White (83.2%), Black or African American (5.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
About 30.4% of students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn?
Median earnings are $45,181 six years after entry and $55,939 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 31.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,500.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University public or private?
Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public institution located in Keyser, WV.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University an HBCU?
No. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University a tribal college?
No. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- West Virginia college profile
- West Virginia college costs
- West Virginia colleges by ROI
- West Virginia trade schools profile
- Keyser, West Virginia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in West Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.