Fairmont State vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairmont State University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairmont State University is located in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairmont State University 14:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Fairmont State vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairmont State or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Fairmont State ($9,541 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 7.3% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($11,656 vs. $12,580).
• Fairmont State University is 64.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $3,428 more per year; $8,708.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Fairmont State than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $5,724 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairmont State University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($8,552 vs. $6,890).

Fairmont State vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairmont State or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Fairmont State .

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairmont State - Required; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

Fairmont State vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairmont State and Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $2,001 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University 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.