McDaniel College vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairmont State University is larger than McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

McDaniel College vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College 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 McDaniel College ($11,328 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 10.2% lower than at McDaniel College ($11,656 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 498.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $43,373 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.2% higher at McDaniel College than at Fairmont State University (about $33,157 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 376.2% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($40,721 vs. $8,552).

McDaniel College vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McDaniel College 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 McDaniel College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

McDaniel College vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 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 McDaniel College graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.