Warren Wilson vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC 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 Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson ($11,328 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 10.7% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($11,656 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 376.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $32,792 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.3% higher at Warren Wilson than at Fairmont State University (about $22,576 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 261.2% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($30,887 vs. $8,552).

Warren Wilson vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Fairmont State ).
• 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 students: Warren Wilson College 21/29; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Warren Wilson vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.