Business/Commerce at West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown

Earning just $25,241 one year after graduation, graduates of this program face an immediate financial challenge that sets them apart from virtually every other business associate's degree in the country. This ranks in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs produce better earnings outcomes—and even within West Virginia, where business associate's graduates typically earn $35,272, this program significantly underperforms.

The debt load of $12,023 is reasonable in isolation, and the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. However, context matters: when your income is this low to begin with, even manageable debt takes longer to clear. Graduates at other West Virginia schools—including Pierpont Community and Technical College at $26,517—are entering the job market with considerably stronger earning power. The gap becomes stark when compared to online options like American Public University System, where business associate's graduates earn $44,027, nearly double this program's outcomes.

For a school serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (68%), these earnings represent a particularly concerning barrier to financial mobility. While the debt itself isn't crushing, starting a career at $25,241 in an era of rising living costs limits your options significantly. Parents should understand that similar credentials at other institutions—even within West Virginia—would position their child much more favorably in the job market.