Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Fairmont State University #630 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Fairmont State University in the 57.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #784 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Fairmont State University's composite ranking reflects mobility and access working together — moving a broad-access student population through degree completion at scale. The institution serves a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students at West Virginia public-tuition pricing.
Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #630 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Fairmont, West Virginia, Fairmont State University enrolls roughly 2,590 undergraduates. Retention is 67.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 44.2%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Fairmont State University draws strength from its focus on health-related fields and strong affordability positioning. The institution serves a meaningful share of Pell-eligible students (34.3%) and first-generation college students (41.4%), making it an accessible entry point for families seeking degree completion without excessive debt. Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #936 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Fairmont State University in the 57.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability and access rank as the institution's strongest pillars in the composite. Fairmont State University sits in the 91.6 percentile for affordability and the 40.8 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a pricing structure and enrollment posture designed to serve working-class and first-generation students. Mobility outcomes sit in the 47.1 percentile, underscoring the institution's role as a pathway to stable employment and economic progress for graduates entering regional labor markets.
Fairmont State University's published cost of attendance is $20,018. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $8,434, middle-income families pay around $10,505, and higher-income families pay approximately $6,945. Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #121 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Fairmont State's tuition structure as a public regional university keeps headline costs moderate relative to private institutions. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for most students, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current scholarship opportunities and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,589; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,884, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Fairmont State University is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a public university experience in Fairmont, WV. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,884, placing Fairmont State University in the 12.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Fairmont State University in the 57.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 34.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 41.4% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Fairmont State University in the 6.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Published cost of attendance is $6,945, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $6,945 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 98.6% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over others. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region. ---
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Fairmont State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Similar quality tier (#19109 ranked) | OR | 63% | $64,010 | #19109 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce Similar quality tier (#19117 ranked) | PR | 52% | $31,394 | #19117 | Compare |
University Of South Dakota Similar quality tier (#19123 ranked) | SD | 99% | $51,926 | #19123 | Compare |
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier in Southeast (#18578 ranked) | WV | 37% | $55,939 | #18578 | Compare |
Missouri Southern State University Similar quality tier (#19128 ranked) | MO | 97% | $42,620 | #19128 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Fairmont State University's published cost of attendance is $20,018. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $8,434, middle-income families pay around $10,505, and higher-income families pay approximately $6,945.
Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #121 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Fairmont State's tuition structure as a public regional university keeps headline costs moderate relative to private institutions. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for most students, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs.
Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current scholarship opportunities and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,589; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,884, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Fairmont State University earn median 4-year earnings of $52,884, placing Fairmont State University in the 12.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fairmont State University sits in the 57.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Fairmont State University #936 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on health-related fields, reflecting Fairmont State University's dominant program concentration.
Business Administration is the largest program with 70 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $51,968, performing at 0.8× the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 67 students with median 4-year earnings of $86,071, at 1.0× the benchmark.
Psychology, General and Criminal Justice round out the top programs, with 54 and 52 graduates respectively earning $46,235 and $49,055 four years after enrollment. This program mix — anchored in Health — supports stable, in-demand career pathways with consistent early-career earnings.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
67 graduates
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
21 graduates
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
14 graduates
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
6 graduates
International Relations and National Security Studies
29 graduates
Fairmont State University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving West Virginia. Business Administration is the largest program with 70 graduates, followed by Nursing with 67 graduates, Psychology, General with 54 graduates, Criminal Justice with 52 graduates, and Education, General with 35 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 580 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects Health as the institution's primary economic signature.
Nursing leads with median earnings four years after enrollment of $86,071 from 67 graduates, followed by Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians with median earnings of $75,569 from 21 graduates. International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn median earnings of $71,751, while Political Science and Business Administration round out the highest-earning cohorts with median earnings of $54,360 and $51,968 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in high-demand fields. Fairmont State University's program portfolio emphasizes applied health and professional credentials that align with West Virginia's healthcare workforce needs and regional economic priorities.
The concentration in Health fields positions graduates for stable employment in sectors with consistent hiring demand and wage growth. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with national and regional labor-market trajectories.
