Computer and Information Sciences, General at West Virginia University - Parkersburg
WV · Associate's Degree · CIP 11.01
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Computer and Information Sciences, General degree from West Virginia University - Parkersburg earn a median salary of $55,402 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in WV, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $62,110. The degree typically pays for itself in 9.6 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$42,403
Typical Career
$55,402
Top Performers
$72,273
Estimated break-even: 9.6 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$369
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,617. Most students can comfortably afford about a $369 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.4x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.7x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in West Virginia buys what costs $0.89 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, Educational Services.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$62,110
Nominal: $55,402 in West Virginia (COL 89.2% of national avg) · 12.1% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $22,955 | $33,295 | $45,427 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $42,403 | $55,402 | $72,273 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $48,624 | $74,729 | $94,749 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $55,402 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in WV, which has a cost-of-living index of 89.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $55,402 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8920)
= $62,110 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The primary industries that graduates enter include Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, and a notable portion also returning to Health Care & Social Assistance. With about 28.0% of graduates entering Health Care & Social Assistance and 23.6% in Public Administration, there are diverse opportunities available. The estimated break-even point for this educational path compared to a high-school-only route is approximately 9.6 years, suggesting a reasonable return on investment for those pursuing this degree. Overall, the program appears to offer a solid foundation for career advancement and financial stability.
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See how the Computer and Information Sciences, General degree at West Virginia University - Parkersburg stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
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Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.