FWBBC vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Welch College in Gallatin, TN 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 FWBBC based on total student enrollment (2,728 students vs. 389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Welch College is located in Gallatin, TN (Large City setting); West Virginia University at Parkersburg is in Parkersburg, WV (Small Suburban setting).
• Welch College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Welch College 8:1; West Virginia University at Parkersburg 17:1.

FWBBC vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FWBBC 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 FWBBC ($1,948 vs. $21,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Welch College are 40.4% lower than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($8,668 vs. $14,544).
• Welch College is 364% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $16,788 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $4,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.5% higher at FWBBC than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $12,276 more per year; $21,400.00 vs. $9,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Welch College than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Welch College students is 106.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia University at Parkersburg students ($15,462 vs. $7,472).

FWBBC vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FWBBC or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg and FWBBC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FWBBC - Open admission; West Virginia University at Parkersburg - Open admission.

FWBBC vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FWBBC and West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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).

• Welch College's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than West Virginia University at Parkersburg's (31%).
• Graduates of Welch College and West Virginia University at Parkersburg have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($31,500 vs. $31,500), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have a $10,239 lower median loan debt than FWBBC graduates ($12,031 vs. $22,270).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FWBBC graduates ($124 vs. $230).
• More FWBBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 33%)

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.