Fairmont State vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 3,305 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairmont State University is located in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairmont State University 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Fairmont State vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairmont State or WVU? 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 WVU ($11,328 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 20.1% lower than at West Virginia University ($11,656 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $1,396 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.2% higher at WVU than at Fairmont State University (about $9,684 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Fairmont State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 44.6% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($12,363 vs. $8,552).

Fairmont State vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairmont State or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Fairmont State .

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 180 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming WVU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairmont State University 810/1070; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairmont State University 17/23; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairmont State - Required; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WVU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Fairmont State vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Fairmont State vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairmont State and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from 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 WVU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More WVU 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.