UC undergraduates lead all WV schools in early-career earnings

Undergraduate students at UC earn more in the first four years after graduation than those from any other college or university in West Virginia, according to a new analysis published by Business Insider.

Using U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, the publication found that UC undergraduates earn a median annual income of $69,000 within four years of completing their degrees, the highest figure among West Virginia institutions included in the analysis.

The College Scorecard's data included median annual earnings, which measured how much former federal-aid-receiving students earned 4 years after completing their degrees.

The recognition highlights the strong career outcomes achieved by UC undergraduates and reflects the university's commitment to preparing students for success in the workforce.

"This recognition reinforces what we see every day," UC President Marty Roth said. "While UC may be smaller than some other universities in West Virginia, it is clear our impact is significant. We focus on preparing students for careers in some of the most in-demand fields in today's workforce, and it is rewarding to see our graduates succeeding in those careers. Our mission is to help students build meaningful careers while preparing them to contribute, lead, and make a difference in their professions and communities. I believe we are living up to that expectation."

Business Insider's analysis reviewed colleges and universities across all 50 states using federal data that tracks earnings outcomes for undergraduate students who received financial aid and completed their degrees.

UC's strong results are driven in part by popular career-focused academic programs such as business and nursing. These industry-focused fields are also well-represented in UC's expanding graduate program portfolio.

At a time when students and families are increasingly focused on the value of higher education, the recognition underscores UC's commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world opportunity, preparing graduates to thrive in their chosen professions, and delivering a high return on investment.