Miami University-Hamilton vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

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

Miami University Hamilton is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (2,480 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Miami University Hamilton is located in Hamilton, OH (Large Suburban setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Miami University Hamilton 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: Miami University Hamilton 12:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Miami University-Hamilton vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Miami University-Hamilton 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 Miami University-Hamilton ($9,541 vs. $9,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Miami University Hamilton are 23.8% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($9,590 vs. $12,580).
• Miami University Hamilton is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $2,211 more per year; $7,491.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Miami University-Hamilton than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $6,207 more per year; $19,407.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Miami University Hamilton (90% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Miami University Hamilton students ($6,890 vs. $5,166).

Miami University-Hamilton vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Miami University-Hamilton 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 Miami University-Hamilton.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Miami University-Hamilton - Open admission; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Miami University-Hamilton students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

Miami University-Hamilton vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Miami University-Hamilton 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 Miami University Hamilton earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $749 lower median loan debt than Miami University-Hamilton graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,750).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami University-Hamilton graduates ($248 vs. $255).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami University-Hamilton students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.