Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #276 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fayetteville State University sits in the 52.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earn about $1,293 less than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #289 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at Fayetteville State University earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a pattern that holds across the university's health-focused program mix and places the school among the stronger performers for earnings beyond expectations in the Azimuth coverage set. The composite ranking reflects a combination of mobility and access working together — serving a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students at a public North Carolina institution while delivering graduate earnings that outpace what the student profile alone would predict.
Azimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #276 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University enrolls roughly 5,762 undergraduates. Retention stands at 75.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 38.5%, reflecting the university's sustained investment in keeping students on track through degree completion. The composite is anchored by what Fayetteville State University delivers for the students it serves. 56.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.9% are first-generation college students — a profile that signals genuine broad access rather than selective enrollment. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $51,687, and Fayetteville State University sits in the 52.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, meaning graduates earn about $1,293 less than similar students at comparable institutions relative to similar students at comparable institutions. The dominant program concentration in Health shapes much of this outcome profile, channeling graduates into fields with stable hiring demand. Return on investment sits at the 24.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting median earnings that trail the most selective peer institutions while remaining competitive relative to the no-degree earnings baseline of $30,928 in NC. Access sits at the 90.5 percentile and mobility at the 80.5 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, with affordability at the 91.4 percentile — a pillar mix that positions Fayetteville State University as a school where broad access and program-driven outcomes carry more weight in the composite than raw earnings rank alone.
Fayetteville State University's published cost of attendance is $16,652. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $6,233, middle-income families pay around $8,983, and higher-income families pay approximately $14,112. Azimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #124 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Fayetteville State positions itself as an accessible entry point to four-year credentials, and the net-price structure reflects that mission across income levels. Need-based aid reaches a substantial share of the student body. Financial aid packages close much of the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay, with $8,760 in average aid savings relative to the published cost of attendance. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. 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. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,987, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $8,791; 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 $51,687, median federal debt of $22,987 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Fayetteville State University is a strong fit for students in NC and the broader Southeast who are drawn to health, education, and public-service fields and want a public university that delivers solid financial outcomes without requiring large upfront costs. Graduates earn median $51,687 four years after enrollment, placing Fayetteville State University in the 11.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $1,293 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 52.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad. 56.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.9% are first-generation students — a profile that reflects the university's commitment to serving cost-sensitive families, and one backed by a low-income net price that keeps attendance within reach for students who need to borrow. Median debt at graduation is $22,987, a figure that stays manageable relative to the earnings trajectory most graduates follow. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Health and related applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those pursuing highly specialized STEM or business tracks may find a broader range of options elsewhere. The university's broadly accessible admission rate means the application process itself is not the primary constraint — the more relevant question is whether the program mix matches the student's goals.
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 Fayetteville State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Fayetteville State University's published cost of attendance is $16,652. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $6,233, middle-income families pay around $8,983, and higher-income families pay approximately $14,112.
Azimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #124 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public regional university, Fayetteville State positions itself as an accessible entry point to four-year credentials, and the net-price structure reflects that mission across income levels.
Need-based aid reaches a substantial share of the student body. Financial aid packages close much of the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay, with $8,760 in average aid savings relative to the published cost of attendance.
Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. 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.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,987, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $8,791; 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 $51,687, median federal debt of $22,987 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 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 Fayetteville State University earn median 4-year earnings of $51,687, placing Fayetteville State University in the 11.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,293 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Fayetteville State University in the 52.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Fayetteville State University #1115 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent meaningful returns relative to NC's no-degree earnings baseline of $30,928 — the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential.
The earnings pattern at Fayetteville State University is anchored in Health and related applied fields. Nursing stands out as the program combining substantial enrollment with strong graduate earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile.
Nursing is the largest program by graduate count, with 213 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $88,701, and Azimuth ranks the program #121 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Psychology, General and Business Administration round out the core of the degree portfolio, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,358 and $48,094, respectively.
The program mix — led by Business at 19% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 5% — reflects a career-oriented curriculum that channels graduates into stable, in-demand fields across NC's regional labor market.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida Gulf Coast University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#10767 ranked) | FL | 63% | $54,560 | #10767 | Compare |
University Of North Georgia Similar quality tier in Southeast (#10763 ranked) | GA | 68% | $50,135 | #10763 | Compare |
Augusta University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#10762 ranked) | GA | 86% | $48,472 | #10762 | Compare |
Bowie State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#10782 ranked) | MD | 72% | $54,537 | #10782 | Compare |
Governors State University Similar quality tier (#10783 ranked) | IL | 48% | $58,169 | #10783 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
213 graduates
Fire Protection
38 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
9 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
22 graduates
Biology, General
38 graduates
Fayetteville State University's program mix is anchored in health and public-service-oriented fields — a signature consistent with the university's identity as a historically Black public institution serving the Fayetteville, NC region. Health professions form the dominant concentration, complemented by programs in criminal justice, business, and education that collectively reflect the institution's focus on workforce-ready, community-serving careers.
Across 24 programs, 13 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 1,079 students annually. The program combining the broadest enrollment scale with strong earnings is Nursing, which anchors Fayetteville State University's economic profile by channeling a large share of graduates into stable, in-demand roles.
Among the most-enrolled programs, Nursing program graduates 213 students with median earnings of $88,701 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #121 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Psychology, General and Business Administration round out the largest footprints, with graduates earning $43,358 and $48,094 respectively four years after enrollment — fields where regional employer demand in healthcare, public safety, and administration remains steady.
The highest-earning programs at Fayetteville State University are concentrated in health and applied professional fields. Nursing leads on earnings, with median earnings of $88,701 four years after enrollment; Azimuth ranks the program #121 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Fire Protection and Biology, General also deliver competitive early-career pay at $73,969 and $48,881 respectively, reflecting the institution's strength in fields tied to direct workforce entry rather than graduate-school-dependent pathways. For context on how these program families align with national labor-market demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).
