Fairmont State University
#7 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,857 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,032 B+
- 47% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.2 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $30.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,053,187.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Fairmont State University Matters
Fairmont State University is a public university in Fairmont, WV and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,590
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences
Why students choose Fairmont State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 810–1070. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,032 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,857 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.45 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 99%, Fairmont State University welcomes a diverse group of students, making it a fitting choice for those seeking a supportive environment. Those interested in fields like Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Education will find solid programs here. The intimate campus size of about 2,590 students fosters a sense of community, which can be crucial for personal and academic growth.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, alumni report median earnings of $46,857 a decade after completing their degrees. This figure reflects a pathway toward financial stability, especially when considering the cost of education. Many students who take advantage of financial aid options will find that their degree can lead to upward mobility, despite the challenges that come with college affordability.
When we talk about the practical aspects of attending Fairmont State, the net price after aid is around $9,032, which is relatively manageable compared to many other institutions. However, students should be aware of the median debt load of $21,000, which is something to consider when planning for the future. The affordability combined with a strong sense of community makes this school a good fit for those who thrive in a supportive environment and are focused on practical career paths.
Rankings
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in West Virginia
- #9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in West Virginia
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
- #11 Best Master's Programs in West Virginia
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in West Virginia
- #11 Best Education Colleges in West Virginia
- #13 Best Online Colleges in West Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Fairmont State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fairmont State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Fairmont State University, located in Fairmont, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 996. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- SAT Average
- 996
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 810–1070
- ACT Range
- 17–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 92%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,101
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.25
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 1,926
- Admitted
- 1,897
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fairmont State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fairmont State University is $18,924, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,032. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,434 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,708
- Out-of-State
- $18,924
- Avg Net Price
- $9,032
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,434
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,679
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,505
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,945
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Fairmont State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fairmont State University earn a median of $46,857, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,197
- 8 Years
- $42,893
- 10 Years
- $46,857
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 50%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (165)
- 25%
- 100% (165)
- 25%
- 100% (165)
- 25%
- 100% (165)
- 25%
How Fairmont Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Fairmont State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Fairmont State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,032/year ($36,128 total). Graduates earn $46,857 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,089,315 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,053,187 (30.2× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,128
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,089,315
- Net Return
- $1,053,187
- ROI Multiple
- 30.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,032
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,375,522
- Investment Income
- $69,294
Top Programs
The fields Fairmont State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 29%
- Criminal Justice 11%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Education 6%
- Humanities 5%
- Psychology 4%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Fairmont State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fairmont State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Fairmont State University, located in Fairmont, West Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 996. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fairmont State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fairmont State University is $18,924, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,032. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,434 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is Fairmont State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fairmont State University earn a median of $46,857, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Fairmont State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fairmont State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Fairmont State University.
- Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, WV · Close peer50% grad $49,358 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI · Close peer48% grad $52,075 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NY · Close peer41% grad $47,860 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC · Close peer43% grad $43,888 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · Close peer34% grad $44,391 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Fairmont State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fairmont State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note