Fairmont State vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Should I go to Fairmont State University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairmont State or Potomac State College of West Virginia University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fairmont State University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University comparison
Fairmont State University Potomac State College of West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Fairmont State University
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Overview

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Location Fairmont, WV Keyser, WV
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 3,498 1,145
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #979
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairmontstate.edu potomacstatecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Tuition (In State) $6,022 $4,752
Tuition (Out of State) $15,638 $12,120
Room & Board $10,022 $9,386
Avg Net Price $10,794 $7,822
Avg Grant Aid $6,547 $6,043
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 89%

Admission

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,926 -
Admitted 1,897 -
Acceptance Rate 98.5% Open
Enrolled % 37% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.06
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 820/1050
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)

Outcomes

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Graduation Rate 33% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,600 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $227 $248

Diversity

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% Men 41% 42%
% Women 59% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 86% 69%
% Black 5% 23%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% In-State 88% 74%
% Out-of-State 11% 24%

Campus

Fairmont State Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairmont State University is larger than than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (3,498 students vs. 1,145 students)

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?

  • Fairmont State University is 26.7% more expensive to attend than Potomac State College of West Virginia University for in-state tuition ($6,022.00 vs. $4,752.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29% higher at Fairmont State than Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($15,638.00 vs. $12,120.00)
  • 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 ($7,822 vs. $10,794)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 6.8% lower than costs at Fairmont State University ($9,386 vs. $10,022)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairmont State University than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (94% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairmont State University students is 8.3% larger than aid received Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($6,547 vs. $6,043)

Which college is harder to get into, Fairmont State or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Potomac State College of West Virginia University or Fairmont State .

  • 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

Which is better, Fairmont State or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Fairmont State .

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn on average $13,000 more per year than Fairmont State graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $37,600)
  • Fairmont State University students graduate with a $2,001 lower median federal student loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,001)
  • Fairmont State graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans 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/