Finance and Financial Management Services at Davis & Elkins College

Based on peer finance programs nationally, graduates from small liberal arts colleges like Davis & Elkins typically start around $53,590—a figure that places these programs at the national median but significantly above what most West Virginia finance graduates earn. With only four schools offering this degree in the state, and WV's median sitting at $42,346, the estimated national benchmark suggests stronger career prospects than the local market typically delivers. West Virginia University's reported outcomes of $48,645 offer a closer-to-home comparison, though still fall short of the national figure Davis & Elkins' outcomes might mirror.

The estimated $25,812 in debt translates to a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. This aligns with what similar private colleges report nationally and represents a workable burden if earnings materialize as projected. The real question is whether Davis & Elkins' career services and alumni network can help graduates access positions that command national-level salaries rather than typical West Virginia wages—a $11,000 annual difference that compounds significantly over a career.

For an anxious parent, recognize you're evaluating a program with limited graduate outcome data, meaning actual results could vary considerably from these peer-based estimates. The financial math works if your child lands a position paying near the national median, but verify how many recent graduates secured jobs outside West Virginia's lower-wage market and whether the college's career placement specifically supports that path.