Fairmont State University
Fairmont State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fairmont State University at a Glance
Fairmont State University is a public university in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States.
1865
161 years old
$38M
$38 million (2025)
3,407
3,160 undergrad · 247 grad
597
14:1 student:faculty
120 acres
5 residence halls
Identity
Is Fairmont State University Worth It?
Fairmont State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,032/year, it's priced 56% below average, while graduates go on to earn $46,857 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Fairmont State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WV
Ranked #21 of 127 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #21 | Fairmont State University | 60 | $9,032 | $46,857 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fairmont State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in WV.
Best Programs at Fairmont State University
The highest-earning program at Fairmont State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Education, General at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Fairmont State University earns $59,100, while a Education, General graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $23,468 in median debt vs. $25,089 for Education, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,032/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,100 | $59,100 | $23,468 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $53,800 | $53,800 | $23,725 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $44,000 | $44,000 | $20,164 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,700 | $31,700 | $20,380 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,000 | $29,000 | $20,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,900 | $27,900 | $22,681 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,900 | $26,900 | $20,250 |
| Psychology, General | $24,300 | $24,300 | $26,000 |
| Education, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,089 |
Similar Colleges in WV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fairmont, WV
- Student Body
- 2,590 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,032
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,857
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000