Plaza College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Potomac State College of West Virginia University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (1,077 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College 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 Plaza College ($9,541 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 18.8% lower than at Plaza College ($12,580 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 192.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $10,170 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Plaza College than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $2,250 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($6,890 vs. $6,665).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza College 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 Plaza College.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College 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 $23,300 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $10,086 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($13,915 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($143 vs. $248).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 30%)

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.