West Virginia Northern Community College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare West Virginia Northern Community College in Wheeling, WV with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than West Virginia Northern Community College based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Virginia Northern Community College is located in Wheeling, WV (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• West Virginia Northern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Virginia Northern Community College 11:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

West Virginia Northern Community College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, West Virginia Northern Community College or WVU? 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 Northern Community College than WVU ($5,560 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia Northern Community College are 40% lower than at West Virginia University ($8,744 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 114.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia Northern Community College (about $5,398 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $4,706.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.3% higher at WVU than at West Virginia Northern Community College (about $15,910 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $12,698.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at West Virginia Northern Community College (94% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia Northern Community College students ($12,363 vs. $7,498).

West Virginia Northern Community College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, West Virginia Northern Community College or WVU? 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 WVU and West Virginia Northern Community College.

• West Virginia Northern Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: West Virginia Northern Community College - Open admission; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at West Virginia Northern Community College (2.92).

West Virginia Northern Community College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for West Virginia Northern Community College and WVU? 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 West Virginia University earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than West Virginia Northern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia Northern Community College graduates have a $15,098 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($8,903 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia Northern Community College graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($92 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia Northern Community 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.