University of Virginia's College at Wise

Chart (C) | How are median wages and upward mobility trending for lower-income students?​



Median income for Pell and Non-Pell students
($K) Median income 3-yrs post-grad in VA
Annual GrowthNon-Pell grads
5.1%
Pell grads
5.4%
VA High School grads > 25 yrs old1
6.4%




2016 (2019)2017 (2020)2018 (2021)2019 (2022)2020 (2023)
Percentage difference in earnings, Pell grads to non-Pell grads-9.1%-8.6%-9.4%-6.7%-7.6%
Percentage of graduates receiving Pell grants at any time61.3%63.5%63.4%63.1%63.0%
Upward mobility for lower-income undergrads2
% of lower-income graduates who achieve upward mobility in VA (measured at 5-yr mark)



1. Wages for Virginians ages 25+ with no more than a high school diploma or equivalent, wages defined as wages, salary, Armed Forces pay, commissions, tips, piece-rate payments, and cash bonuses earned before deductions were made for taxes, bonds, pensions, union dues, etc....and net income from self-employment."; 2020 includes 5-year estimates due to COVID-data disruption
2. Upward mobility defined as earnings greater than 200% of the federal poverty level (5-yrs post-grad) for the average family size for a 25-29 yr old + estimated annual student loan payment; lower-income undergraduates defined as those coming from households at 0-200% of the federal poverty level (income data drawn from FAFSA) ​
Note: Years represent median wage 3 years post grad in VA of students who graduated in the year combined and students who graduated in the 4 previous years with wages adjusted for inflation to the most recent year of wages, in order to allow for reporting at the program-level; only includes wage data from VA from employers covered under state unemployment insurance​
Source: SCHEV data calculation and extract, April 2023; US Census Bureau