Cleveland State vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Cleveland State vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State ($11,328 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 22.8% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,656 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 49.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $4,280 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Fairmont State than at Cleveland State University (about $414 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Cleveland State University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($9,795 vs. $8,552).

Cleveland State vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 70 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Cleveland State vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State 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).

• Fairmont State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($222 vs. $227).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.