VSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Should I go to Virginia State University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Virginia State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University comparison
Virginia State University Potomac State College of West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Virginia State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Location Petersburg, VA Keyser, WV
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,190 1,143
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #930
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vsu.edu potomacstatecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Tuition (In State) $5,540 $5,040
Tuition (Out of State) $17,038 $12,624
Room & Board $12,966 $11,900
Avg Net Price $16,184 $7,685
Avg Grant Aid $12,300 $6,761
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 94%

Admission

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,577 -
Admitted 9,424 -
Acceptance Rate 89.1% Open
Enrolled % 15.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 2.85 3.06
Typical High School Grades B- B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/20
SAT Range 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)

Outcomes

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Graduation Rate 40% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,500 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $305 $248

Diversity

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% Men 3% 6%
% Women 4% 11%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 69%
% Black 87% 23%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% In-State 66% 76%
% Out-of-State 33% 23%

Campus

VSU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia State University is larger than than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (5,190 students vs. 1,143 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

  • Virginia State University is 9.9% more expensive to attend than Potomac State College of West Virginia University for in-state tuition ($5,540.00 vs. $5,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35% higher at VSU than Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($17,038.00 vs. $12,624.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than VSU ($7,685 vs. $16,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 9% lower than costs at Virginia State University ($11,900 vs. $12,966)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Virginia State University (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 81.9% larger than aid received Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($12,300 vs. $6,761)

Which college is harder to get into, VSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Potomac State College of West Virginia University or VSU .

  • Accepted freshman Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at VSU (2.85)

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

Which is better, VSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Potomac State College of West Virginia University and VSU.

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn on average $13,900 more per year than VSU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $36,700)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate with a $5,499 lower median federal student loan debt than VSU graduates. ($24,001 vs. $29,500)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than VSU graduates. ($248 vs. $305)
  • More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/