UMES vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, 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 UMES based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is located in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

UMES vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMES 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 UMES ($11,328 vs. $13,311).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Eastern Shore are 2.6% lower than at Fairmont State University ($11,351 vs. $11,656).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $368 more per year; $9,076.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at UMES than at Fairmont State University (about $1,198 more per year; $20,122.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Eastern Shore than at Fairmont State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 48.8% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($12,728 vs. $8,552).

UMES vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMES 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 UMES.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairmont State University (940) is 10 points higher than at UMES (930).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at UMES).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMES - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMES Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at UMES (3.07).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than UMES (96.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at UMES vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

UMES vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMES 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 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 UMES graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMES graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.