CCS vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College for Creative Studies is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (1,433 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College for Creative Studies is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• College for Creative Studies 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: College for Creative Studies 10:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, CCS 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 CCS ($9,541 vs. $36,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 17.6% lower than at College for Creative Studies ($12,580 vs. $15,272).
• College for Creative Studies is 910.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $48,070 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 304.2% higher at CCS than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $40,150 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College for Creative Studies than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College for Creative Studies students is 337% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($30,108 vs. $6,890).

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

Which college is harder to get into, CCS 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 CCS.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCS - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman CCS students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

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

How do outcomes compare for CCS 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 $4,500 more per year than CCS graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $2,999 lower median loan debt than CCS graduates ($24,001 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCS graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More CCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.