Fayetteville State University vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Fayetteville State University or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fayetteville State University or Marshall 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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Fayetteville State University vs. Marshall University comparison
Fayetteville State University Marshall University College 3 College 4
Fayetteville State University Marshall University
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Overview

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Location Fayetteville, NC Huntington, WV
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 6,847 11,027
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1002 #825
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uncfsu.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $7,372
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $18,724
Room & Board $11,302 $12,852
Avg Net Price $7,298 $9,734
Avg Grant Aid $8,589 $12,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 96%

Admission

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,043 6,499
Admitted 4,029 6,269
Acceptance Rate 79.9% 96.5%
Enrolled % 20% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.11 3.68
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 18/24
SAT Range 855/1045 890/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 10, 2025

Academics

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 31% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,500 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,161 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $229 $239

Diversity

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
% Men 5% 9%
% Women 10% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 19% 84%
% Black 64% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
% In-State 78% 78%
% Out-of-State 15% 22%

Campus

Fayetteville State University Marshall University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (11,027 students vs. 6,847 students)

Fayetteville State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University or Marshall University?

  • Marshall University is 637.2% more expensive to attend than Fayetteville State University for in-state tuition ($7,372.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 274.5% higher at Marshall University than Fayetteville State University ($18,724.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fayetteville State University than Marshall University ($7,298 vs. $9,734)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 13.7% lower than costs at Marshall University ($11,302 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Fayetteville State University (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 40% larger than aid received Fayetteville State University ($12,024 vs. $8,589)

Fayetteville State University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 158 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (870)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Fayetteville State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Fayetteville State University (79.9%)

Fayetteville State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fayetteville State University or Marshall 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 Marshall University and Fayetteville State University.

  • The graduation rate at Marshall University is higher than Fayetteville State University (44% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Marshall University earn on average $7,700 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $32,500)
  • Fayetteville State University students graduate with a $973 lower median federal student loan debt than Marshall University graduates. ($22,161 vs. $23,134)
  • Fayetteville State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Marshall University graduates. ($229 vs. $239)
  • More Marshall University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/