ECSU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC 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 ECSU based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 2,258 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Elizabeth City 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: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

ECSU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Fairmont State ($6,483 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 2.8% lower than at Elizabeth City State University ($11,656 vs. $11,986).
• Fairmont State University is 33.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $2,172 more per year; $8,708.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Fairmont State than at Elizabeth City State University (about $8,388 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Elizabeth City State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elizabeth City State University students is 25.5% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($10,732 vs. $8,552).

ECSU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabeth City State University (1000) is 60 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at ECSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

ECSU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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).

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $4,125 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($227 vs. $270).
• More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 23%)

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.