Head-to-head · 2026
West Virginia Northern Community College vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Compare average net price ($5,329 at West Virginia Northern Community College; $1,807 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg), ROI score (14.15 vs 48.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($30,162 vs $35,171), and admissions context (Open / not reported at West Virginia Northern Community College; 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 | West Virginia Northern Community College | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.15 | 48.66 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,329 | $1,807 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,316 | $7,228 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,706 | $4,612 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,698 | $9,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $30,162 | $35,171 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% ✓ | 9.1% |
| Retention rate | 61.2% | — |
| Median debt | $10,245 ✓ | $12,570 |
| Enrollment | 1,014 | 1,868 |
| Ownership | Public | 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 | West Virginia Northern Community College | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,911 | $723 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,946 | $50 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,627 | $1,589 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,201 | $5,407 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,332 | $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 | West Virginia Northern Community College | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.1% | 27.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.6% | 13.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 3.2% | 13.7% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.6% | 2.9% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 8% | 1.2% |
| Precision Metal Working | 1.8% | 6.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.4% | 6.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.2% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports the lower average net price by $3,522 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,088 difference over four years ($7,228 vs $21,316).
West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports $5,009 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($35,171 vs $30,162). 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
West Virginia Northern Community College 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 $5,329 at West Virginia Northern Community College. The annual difference of $3,522 adds up to about $14,088 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $35,171 vs $30,162 at West Virginia Northern Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,009. 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.