Alcorn State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alcorn State University in Alcorn State, MS with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alcorn State University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (2,995 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alcorn State University is located in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Alcorn State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alcorn State University 16:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Alcorn State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alcorn State University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Alcorn State University ($9,541 vs. $12,376).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alcorn State University are 3% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($12,204 vs. $12,580).
• Alcorn State University is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $3,505 more per year; $8,785.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Alcorn State University (about $4,415 more per year; $13,200.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alcorn State University than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alcorn State University students is 65.1% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($11,375 vs. $6,890).

Alcorn State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alcorn State University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Alcorn State University.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 670/998.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alcorn State University - Required; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Alcorn State University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

Alcorn State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alcorn State University and Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $4,249 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($24,001 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($248 vs. $292).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.