Jackson State University vs. Fairmont State

Deciding between Jackson State University and Fairmont State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jackson State University
Fairmont State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • Fairmont State Fairmont, WV
  • Setting
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • Fairmont State Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • Fairmont State 3,305
  • Type
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • Fairmont State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Jackson State University #998
  • Fairmont State #972
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Jackson State University -
  • Fairmont State -
  • Status
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • Fairmont State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Jackson State University
  • Fairmont State
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • Fairmont State $8,708
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • Fairmont State $18,924
  • Room & Board
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • Fairmont State $11,656
  • Average Net Price
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • Fairmont State $11,328
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • Fairmont State $8,552
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • Fairmont State 91%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • Fairmont State 1,955
  • Admitted
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • Fairmont State 1,928
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • Fairmont State 98.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • Fairmont State 33.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jackson State University 950
  • Fairmont State 940
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jackson State University 17
  • Fairmont State 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • Fairmont State 3.36
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Jackson State University B
  • Fairmont State B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • Fairmont State Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Jackson State University
  • Fairmont State
  • ACT Range
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • Fairmont State 17/23
  • SAT Range
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • Fairmont State 810/1070
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • Fairmont State Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • Fairmont State
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • Fairmont State 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Fairmont State
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • Fairmont State 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • Fairmont State $37,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • Fairmont State 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • Fairmont State $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Jackson State University $299
  • Fairmont State $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • Fairmont State 42%
  • % Women
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • Fairmont State 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • Fairmont State Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • Fairmont State No
  • % White
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • Fairmont State 86%
  • % Asian
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Fairmont State 0%
  • % Black
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • Fairmont State 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Fairmont State 2%
  • % Native American
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Fairmont State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Fairmont State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • Fairmont State 3%
  • % International
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • Fairmont State 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Fairmont State 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • Fairmont State 88%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • Fairmont State 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • Fairmont State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Jackson State University No
  • Fairmont State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • Fairmont State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Jackson State University No
  • Fairmont State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • Fairmont State No

Comparable Facts

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

Jackson State University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (6,326 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Jackson State University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or Fairmont State ? 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 Jackson State University ($11,328 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 18.7% lower than at Jackson State University ($11,656 vs. $14,341).
  • Jackson State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $257 more per year; $8,965.00 vs. $8,708.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at Fairmont State than at Jackson State University (about $6,959 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $11,965.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Jackson State University (91% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairmont State University students is 2% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($8,552 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Jackson State University (950) is 10 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
  • Incoming Fairmont State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Jackson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 820/1070; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; Fairmont State University 17/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Jackson State University (3.1).
  • Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Jackson State University (93.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Jackson State University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University and Fairmont State ? 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).

  • Jackson State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
  • Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Jackson State University graduates ($22,000 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jackson State University graduates ($227 vs. $299).
  • More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 36%)

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.