WSSU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Winston Salem 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: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

WSSU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU 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 WSSU ($11,328 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 1.5% lower than at Fairmont State University ($11,484 vs. $11,656).
• Fairmont State University is 42.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $2,582 more per year; $8,708.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Fairmont State than at Winston Salem State University (about $2,142 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University as at Fairmont State University (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($10,057 vs. $8,552).

WSSU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU 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 WSSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairmont State University (940) is 10 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

WSSU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU 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).

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $3,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($227 vs. $265).
• More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 33%)

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.