Analysis
West Virginia State's psychology program sits right in the middle of the state's offerings—40th percentile among West Virginia schools—but struggles compared to the national landscape where it ranks in just the 23rd percentile. With starting earnings of $28,185 and debt of $26,305, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.93, meaning they owe nearly a full year's salary. While earnings do climb 13% to $31,761 by year four, that still trails the state median by about $3,700 and lags national benchmarks by roughly $6,000 annually.
The real concern here is opportunity cost. Several West Virginia universities deliver significantly stronger outcomes: American Public University System graduates earn $39,655—over $10,000 more annually—while Shepherd and Marshall both clear $30,000. Given that tuition differences within the state system are typically modest, students attending these alternatives would likely earn substantially more over their careers while carrying similar debt loads.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern is clear enough: this program underperforms both state and national standards. For a psychology degree that positions graduates competitively, families should look at the higher-ranked West Virginia options that demonstrate consistently stronger earnings potential.
Where West Virginia State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How West Virginia State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia State University | $28,185 | $31,761 | +13% |
| American Public University System | $39,655 | $44,912 | +13% |
| Shepherd University | $31,282 | $42,528 | +36% |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | $28,879 | $41,351 | +43% |
| West Virginia University | $28,879 | $41,351 | +43% |
Compare to Similar Programs in West Virginia
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in West Virginia (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 West Virginia State UniversityInstitute | $9,049 | $28,185 | $31,761 | $26,305 | 0.93 |
 American Public University SystemCharles Town | $8,400 | $39,655 | $44,912 | $31,973 | 0.81 |
 Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown | $8,642 | $31,282 | $42,528 | $22,500 | 0.72 |
 Marshall UniversityHuntington | $8,942 | $30,864 | $36,901 | $26,000 | 0.84 |
 Fairmont State UniversityFairmont | $8,454 | $29,307 | $36,992 | $26,000 | 0.89 |
 West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyBeckley | $8,064 | $28,879 | $41,351 | $23,328 | 0.81 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At West Virginia State University, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.