Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Fairmont, West Virginia |
| Online | fairmontstate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Fairmont State University is located in Fairmont, West Virginia, approximately 90 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Situated on a hilltop campus spanning 120 acres, the institution began in 1865 as a state normal school for teacher education before evolving into a comprehensive public university. The university maintains a focused academic program offering bachelor's and select master's degrees, with notable strengths in nursing, education, criminal justice, and engineering technology. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including a recently expanded engineering technology complex and the centrally located Falcon Center, which serves as the hub of student life. Residence halls accommodate approximately one-third of the undergraduate population, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Fighting Falcons.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Fairmont State is rated within the lower 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Fairmont State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#947 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#387 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in West Virginia
#6 in Best Public Colleges in West Virginia
#8 in Best Value Colleges in West Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 830/1040 |
| ACT | 17/23 |
| GPA | 3.36 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
West Virginia Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,986 |
| Room and Board | $11,486 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $22,940 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,986 |
| Room and Board | $11,486 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $32,646 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 21% |
| Business | 18% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 10% |
| Education | 8% |
| Engineering Technology | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Fairmont State are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237367 IPEDS survey data for Fairmont State University.
Current students may use the Fairmont State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025