Fairmont State University

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Fairmont, WV
  • 4.0 1 review
#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

3,305
Fairmont State University overview
Fairmont State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • 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

Fairmont State is rated within the lower 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    3 out of 10
  • Academics
    2 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    2 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Fairmont State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 810/1070
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 17/23
  • GPA 3.36

Acceptance Rate

98.6%
Fairmont State University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 33.8%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

West Virginia Resident Tuition

$8,708

Out of State Resident Tuition

$18,924

Breakdown

In State Costs for Fairmont State University
  • Tuition $8,708
  • Books and Supplies $1,000
  • Other Fees $2,082
  • Room and Board $11,656
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,000
  • Total One Year Cost $25,446

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$37,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

33% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Fairmont State University are Health Professions, Business, and Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting. 21% of students major in Health Professions, 18% in Business, and 10% in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting.

  • Health Professions 21%
  • Business 18%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 10%
  • Education 8%
  • Engineering Technology 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Fairmont State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237367.

GPA calculator: Fairmont State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026