ATU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

ATU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Fairmont State ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairmont State University than ATU ($11,328 vs. $12,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 11.3% lower than at Fairmont State University ($10,338 vs. $11,656).
• Fairmont State University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $34 more per year; $8,708.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at Fairmont State than at Arkansas Tech University (about $4,256 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Fairmont State University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($9,901 vs. $8,552).

ATU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Fairmont State ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fairmont State and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas Tech University (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Fairmont State (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than ATU (95.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

ATU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Fairmont State ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $500 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($183 vs. $227).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.