Business/Commerce, General at West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, WV · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 1,692 students in Parkersburg, WV.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,536 track close to the $36,982 national median for Business/Commerce, General programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 79.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $14,519 in median debt against $33,536 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg ranks #26 among 130 Business/Commerce, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business/Commerce, General reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $33,536/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$351K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,420
Out-of-state: $9,124
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,519
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business/Commerce, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

About Business/Commerce, General Careers

Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.

Read the full Business/Commerce, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Business/Commerce, General program score?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business/Commerce, General nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Business/Commerce, General to AI automation?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why does West Virginia University at Parkersburg rank so high for Business/Commerce, General?
The #26 ranking out of 130 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Business/Commerce, General through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Business/Commerce, General occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Business/Commerce, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Business/Commerce, General have roughly 832,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →