Bethany College vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethany College in Bethany, WV with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairmont State University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Bethany College vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany College 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 Bethany College ($11,328 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 11.8% lower than at Bethany College ($11,656 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 322.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $28,057 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.3% higher at Bethany College than at Fairmont State University (about $17,841 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 270% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($31,646 vs. $8,552).

Bethany College vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethany College 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 Bethany College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany College (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 870/1110; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 18/26; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bethany College vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Bethany College vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany College 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $8,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($22,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($227 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.