Head-to-head comparison
American Public University System vs West Liberty University: which has better ROI?
Option A Charles Town, WV
American Public University System
- Net price / year
- $9,597
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,409
- Payback
- No payback
Option B West Liberty, WV
West Liberty University
- Net price / year
- $15,366
- Earnings, 10 years
- $43,296
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Public University System comes closer — median earnings $44,409 against a $38,388 total, vs $43,296 at West Liberty University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Public University System | West Liberty University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,597 | $15,366 |
| Total net cost | $38,388 | $61,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,409 | $43,296 |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $23,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$117,408 | -$162,744 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, American Public University System or West Liberty University?
American Public University System, at $9,597 a year after aid versus $15,366 — a gap of $5,769 a year, or $23,076 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do American Public University System or West Liberty University graduates earn more?
American Public University System graduates report a median $44,409 ten years after entry, $1,113 more than the $43,296 at West Liberty University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, American Public University System or West Liberty University?
American Public University System: its completers carry a median $21,743 in federal loans versus $23,250 at West Liberty University, a difference of $1,507. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at West Liberty University, against 57% at American Public University System. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.