North Carolina Central University vs. Fairmont State

Should I go to North Carolina Central University or Fairmont State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Carolina Central University or Fairmont State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

WSSU WVSU NCAT Fayetteville State University WVU VSU ECSU Marshall University Alcorn State University Bowie State University Delaware State University UNCG
North Carolina Central University vs. Fairmont State University comparison
North Carolina Central University Fairmont State University College 3 College 4
North Carolina Central University Fairmont State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Location Durham, NC Fairmont, WV
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 7,553 3,498
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #940 #979
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nccu.edu fairmontstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Tuition (In State) $3,728 $6,022
Tuition (Out of State) $16,764 $15,638
Room & Board $11,864 $10,022
Avg Net Price $13,708 $10,794
Avg Grant Aid $16,168 $6,547
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 94%

Admission

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,423 1,926
Admitted 7,107 1,897
Acceptance Rate 84.4% 98.5%
Enrolled % 15.2% 37%
Avg High School GPA 3.27 3.36
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/23 18/23
SAT Range 810/1130 820/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)

Outcomes

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Graduation Rate 38% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,200 $37,600
Making Student Loan Payments 23% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $227

Diversity

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
% Men 30% 41%
% Women 70% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 6% 86%
% Black 81% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
% In-State 65% 88%
% Out-of-State 29% 11%

Campus

North Carolina Central University Fairmont State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 3,498 students)

North Carolina Central University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Central University or Fairmont State ?

  • Fairmont State University is 61.5% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($6,022.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.2% higher at North Carolina Central University than Fairmont State University ($16,764.00 vs. $15,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairmont State University than North Carolina Central University ($10,794 vs. $13,708)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 18.4% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,022 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Fairmont State University (96% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 147% larger than aid received Fairmont State University ($16,168 vs. $6,547)

North Carolina Central University vs. Fairmont State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Fairmont State University (962) is 83 points higher than at North Carolina Central University (879)
  • Incoming Fairmont State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at North Carolina Central University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than North Carolina Central University (84.4%)

North Carolina Central University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Carolina Central University or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State and North Carolina Central University.

  • The graduation rate at North Carolina Central University is higher than Fairmont State University (38% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Fairmont State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($37,600 vs. $35,200)
  • Fairmont State University students graduate with a $9,000 lower median federal student loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Fairmont State graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than North Carolina Central University graduates. ($227 vs. $320)
  • More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 23%)

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