Fairmont State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College

Comparable Facts

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

Fairmont State University is larger than West Virginia Wesleyan College based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 1,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairmont State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairmont State or West Virginia Wesleyan College? 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 West Virginia Wesleyan College ($11,328 vs. $19,218).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 10.3% lower than at West Virginia Wesleyan College ($11,656 vs. $12,988).
• West Virginia Wesleyan College is 291.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $25,382 more per year; $34,090.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at West Virginia Wesleyan College than at Fairmont State University (about $15,166 more per year; $34,090.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia Wesleyan College than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia Wesleyan College students is 240.9% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($29,150 vs. $8,552).

Fairmont State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia Wesleyan College (1030) is 90 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 West Virginia Wesleyan College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 810/1070; West Virginia Wesleyan College 892/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairmont State University 17/23; West Virginia Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairmont State - Required; West Virginia Wesleyan College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman West Virginia Wesleyan College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than West Virginia Wesleyan College (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Fairmont State vs. 22.6% at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Fairmont State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairmont State and West Virginia Wesleyan College? 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).

• West Virginia Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.