Head-to-head · 2026
American Public University System vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Compare average net price ($9,597 at American Public University System; $1,807 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg), ROI score (11.57 vs 48.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,409 vs $35,171), and admissions context (Open / not reported at American Public University System; Open / not reported at West Virginia University at Parkersburg) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | American Public University System | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.57 | 48.66 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,597 | $1,807 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $38,388 | $7,228 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,400 | $4,612 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,400 | $9,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,409 ✓ | $35,171 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 57.2% ✓ | 9.1% |
| Retention rate | 97.1% | — |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $12,570 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 40,074 | 1,868 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | American Public University System | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,335 | $723 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,766 | $50 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,951 | $1,589 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,559 | $5,407 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $7,562 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | American Public University System | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 11.6% | 27.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 22.6% | 3.3% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 2.4% | 13.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 0.8% | 13.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.6% | 6.5% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 2.1% | 5.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports the lower average net price by $7,790 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,160 difference over four years ($7,228 vs $38,388).
American Public University System reports $9,238 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,409 vs $35,171). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
American Public University System vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg is cheaper — average net price $1,807 per year vs $9,597 at American Public University System. The annual difference of $7,790 adds up to about $31,160 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
American Public University System reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,409 vs $35,171 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. The gap in the federal data is $9,238. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.