Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fayetteville State University at a Glance
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black university in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
1867
159 years old
$40M
$39.5 million (2025)
6,748
5,557 undergrad
328
200 acres
Identity
Is Fayetteville State University Worth It?
Fayetteville State University offers moderate value at $7,892/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $40,144, which is 25% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $22,987 representing 57% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Fayetteville State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #33 of 119 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 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #33 | Fayetteville State University | 47 | $7,892 | $40,144 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fayetteville State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at Fayetteville State University
The highest-earning program at Fayetteville State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $21,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Fayetteville State University earns $61,700, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $21,900. 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 $15,997 in median debt vs. $24,036 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,892/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 | $61,700 | $61,700 | $15,997 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,100 | $34,100 | $31,158 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $34,000 | $34,000 | $22,573 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,837 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,100 | $28,100 | $29,782 |
| Biology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $28,062 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,400 | $26,400 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,400 | $26,400 | $22,398 |
| Sociology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $24,882 |
| Social Work | $25,000 | $25,000 | $29,147 |
| Psychology, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $24,244 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $21,900 | $21,900 | $24,036 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fayetteville, NC
- Student Body
- 5,762 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,892
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,144
- Median Student Debt
- $22,987