EIU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

EIU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 EIU ($11,328 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 5.1% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,656 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 57.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $4,971 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Fairmont State than at Eastern Illinois University (about $2,707 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Fairmont State University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 51.5% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($12,960 vs. $8,552).

EIU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Fairmont 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: EIU - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

EIU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $1,650 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($227 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.