Ferrum College vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Potomac State College of West Virginia University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,077 students vs. 763 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferrum College is located in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferrum College 11:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 4.9% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,580 vs. $13,230).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.1% higher at Ferrum College than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $15,320 more per year; $28,520 vs. $13,200).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 399.9% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($34,444 vs. $6,890).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Ferrum College, open admission at Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Ferrum College average a 3.14 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $3,999 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($24,001 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($248 vs. $289).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 49%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.