Fairmont State vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

Fairmont State University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairmont State vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairmont State or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Fairmont State ($11,055 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 13.8% lower than at West Virginia State University ($11,656 vs. $13,522).
• West Virginia State University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $862 more per year; $9,570.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at Fairmont State than at West Virginia State University (about $3,934 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at West Virginia State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($8,993 vs. $8,552).

Fairmont State vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairmont State or WVSU? 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 WVSU and Fairmont State .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairmont State University (940) is 40 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 810/1070; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 17/23; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairmont State - Required; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than WVSU (96%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Fairmont State vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Fairmont State vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairmont State and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($227 vs. $240).
• More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 35%)

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.