Bluefield University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA 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 Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bluefield University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluefield University 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 Bluefield University ($11,328 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 18.7% lower than at Fairmont State University ($9,480 vs. $11,656).
• Bluefield University is 207.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $18,062 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Bluefield University than at Fairmont State University (about $7,846 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Fairmont State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 137.9% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($20,341 vs. $8,552).

Bluefield University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bluefield University 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 Bluefield University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bluefield University - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Bluefield University (3.31).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Bluefield University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Bluefield University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bluefield University 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).

• Bluefield University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $1,166 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($20,834 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($215 vs. $227).
• More Bluefield University 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.