Peirce College vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Peirce College in Philadelphia, PA 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 Peirce College based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 929 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Peirce College is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Peirce College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Peirce College 13:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Peirce College vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peirce 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 Peirce College ($11,328 vs. $13,290).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 24.5% lower than at Fairmont State University ($8,800 vs. $11,656).
• Peirce College is 72.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $6,352 more per year; $15,060.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Fairmont State than at Peirce College (about $3,864 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peirce College than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairmont State University students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($8,552 vs. $5,370).

Peirce College vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

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

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: Peirce College - Open admission; Fairmont State - Required.

Peirce College vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peirce 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).

• Fairmont State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $14,125 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($22,000 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($227 vs. $373).
• More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 32%)

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.