Central State University vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Central State University in Wilberforce, OH with West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is larger than Central State University based on total student enrollment (2,728 students vs. 2,708 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia University at Parkersburg is in Parkersburg, WV (Small Suburban setting).
• Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central State University 16:1; West Virginia University at Parkersburg 17:1.

Central State University vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central State University or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg than Central State University ($1,948 vs. $11,398).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 17.3% lower than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($12,026 vs. $14,544).
• Central State University is 74.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $3,446 more per year; $8,058.00 vs. $4,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Central State University than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $934 more per year; $10,058.00 vs. $9,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central State University than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central State University students is 149.7% larger than aid received by West Virginia University at Parkersburg students ($18,654 vs. $7,472).

Central State University vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central State University or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Central State University.

• West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central State University 770/950.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central State University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central State University - Test-free; West Virginia University at Parkersburg - Open admission.

Central State University vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central State University and West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Virginia University at Parkersburg's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Central State University's (24%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University at Parkersburg earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,500 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have a $26,969 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($12,031 vs. $39,000).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have an estimated $279 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central State University graduates ($124 vs. $403).
• More West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 16%)

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.