The Catholic University of America vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America ($9,541 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 30.9% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,580 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 1,005.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $53,098 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 342.3% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $45,178 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 519.1% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($42,657 vs. $6,890).

The Catholic University of America vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

The Catholic University of America vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $2,105 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,106).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($248 vs. $269).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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.