Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Southwest Minnesota 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: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,328 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 5.4% lower than at Fairmont State University ($11,028 vs. $11,656).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $1,653 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.6% higher at Fairmont State than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $8,563 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Fairmont State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($8,674 vs. $8,552).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 80 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Fairmont State (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $322 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($224 vs. $227).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.