Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia · Public · 98.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
Fairmont State University scores 43 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by a 44.3% completion rate, a 14.9-year payback period, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.689. Median 6-year earnings are $30,500 against a median debt of $21,000 -- a combination that leaves graduates financially exposed. The repayment rate at the 3-year mark sits at 58.9%, meaning more than four in ten borrowers are not making progress on their loans three years after entering repayment. Net price averages $9,032, low in absolute terms, but the outcomes data shows that low sticker cost does not translate into strong ROI when fewer than half of enrolled students complete their degree. The bright spots are in health and applied technical fields: Registered Nursing (39 graduates, $77,962 year-one, ROI grade B) and Computer and Information Sciences ($64,975 year-one, ROI grade B) are the standout programs. Business Administration (58 graduates) earns a D-grade ROI at $33,767 year-one and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77. Criminal Justice and Psychology also carry D grades. The aggregate ROI is pulled down by a program mix that skews toward lower-earning fields with moderate debt loads and a completion rate that ranks in the bottom quartile nationally.
The data raises concerns about Fairmont State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Fairmont State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,708/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,924/yr |
| Average net price | $9,032/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $36,128 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,857 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $223 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,590 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Fairmont State University is $8,708/year ($18,924/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $9,032/year, or roughly $36,128 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,434/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $6,945/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $223 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,857 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,434 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,679 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,505 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,184 |
| $110,001+ | $6,945 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $8,434 net price per year at Fairmont State -- approximately $33,736 over four years if completed on schedule. But only 44.3% of students finish, meaning the average enrolled student bears costs without guarantee of a credential. Low-income students face the steepest risk: non-completion with debt and no degree is the worst financial outcome, and the 58.9% three-year repayment rate signals widespread borrower stress.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $10,505 -- slightly higher than the lowest tier. At $10,505 per year and median debt of $21,000, the debt load is modest by national standards, but it is evaluated against $30,500 median 6-year earnings. Middle-income families should compare this against in-state community college costs and consider whether a two-year technical credential would achieve similar career outcomes at lower total cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays just $6,945 -- the lowest net price in the income schedule, an unusual inversion that likely reflects merit aid. At under $28,000 total cost over four years for high-income families, the raw cost is very low. The ROI risk for higher-income students is not the cost but the completion rate: starting a degree here with a 44.3% graduation rate is a structural gamble regardless of income.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Fairmont State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,968 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,055 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,858 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $86,071 | B |
| Education, General | $46,625 | C |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $71,751 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $50,343 | D |
| International Relations | $54,360 | D |
| Psychology | $46,235 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $75,569 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the strongest program at Fairmont State by a wide margin: 39 graduates, $77,962 year-one earnings, $86,071 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.431 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $33,625 is notable -- graduates borrow more than in most other programs -- but the earnings trajectory justifies it. West Virginia's nursing labor market supports strong starting salaries relative to regional cost of living. This is the clearest value proposition the institution offers.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences shows $64,975 year-one earnings on 9 graduates and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.377 (ROI grade B). The small cohort limits the reliability of these figures, but the directional signal is positive. Median debt of $24,500 is manageable against tech sector starting salaries. Four-year earnings data is not reported by Scorecard for this program at Fairmont State.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration enrolls 58 graduates -- the largest cohort at Fairmont State -- but delivers D-grade ROI: $33,767 year-one, $51,968 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77. Median debt of $26,000 against $33,767 starting earnings is a difficult hole to climb out of. Students considering this program should compare outcomes against in-state community college options and ask what specific career path they intend to pursue.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice is Fairmont State's second-largest program by graduate count (54) but earns a D grade: $36,179 year-one, $49,055 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.706 with $25,557 median debt. Starting earnings suggest entry-level law enforcement or corrections roles that carry modest wage growth. The 4-year trajectory to $49k is workable but tight against debt service obligations.
Psychology
Psychology earns a D grade at Fairmont State: 33 graduates, $29,307 year-one, $46,235 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.887 with $26,000 median debt. Graduates earning under $30,000 with nearly $26,000 in debt are in a financially stressed position immediately after graduation. Students interested in psychology who plan to pursue licensure or graduate school should model the total cost carefully before enrolling.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 53.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 58.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 47.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 51.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 98.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 360-510 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 450-560 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-23 |
| Enrollment | 2,590 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,101 |
Fairmont State's 98.6% admission rate means virtually all applicants are accepted. The institution does not publish test score requirements in practice -- the SAT and ACT ranges in the Scorecard reflect the distribution of enrolled students, not cutoffs. Students should focus their evaluation on program completion data and post-graduation earnings rather than admission odds, which are not a meaningful signal here.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Fairmont State's peer schools include Bluefield State, Concord University, Eastern Oregon University, Emporia State, and Wayne State College -- all regional public institutions serving similar populations. Among named peers, Emporia State (ROI not separately listed here) and Wayne State College serve as comparable benchmarks. Fairmont State's 44.3% completion rate is notably low relative to Emporia State's published completion metrics. The 14.9-year payback period and 0.689 debt-to-earnings ratio place Fairmont State in the lower tier of regional public universities nationally. Students should benchmark this institution against West Virginia's other public options, including WVU and Marshall.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont State University (this school) | 43 | $9,032 | $46,857 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
| Emporia State University | 44 | $16,261 | $47,601 |
| Eastern Oregon University | 43 | $17,148 | $50,112 |
| Concord University | 30 | $9,966 | $42,703 |
| Bluefield State University | 20 | $13,684 | $38,217 |
Who Thrives Here
Fairmont State admits 98.6% of applicants, making selectivity essentially non-existent. SAT mid-ranges run 360-510 Math and 450-560 Reading; ACT composite 17-23. Enrollment is 2,590 students, serving a predominantly West Virginia regional population. Pell grant rate is 34.3%, reflecting a student body with substantial financial need. Students who are confident in completing a nursing, civil engineering technology, or computer science program will find the best outcome-to-cost ratio here. Students considering business, criminal justice, or liberal arts should scrutinize the D-grade ROI data carefully before enrolling.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Fairmont State University. With a net cost of $9,032 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,857 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.9 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 44.3% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,000 against $46,857 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.