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Fairmont State University
Admission at Fairmont State University is close to open (98.6%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $46,857 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Fairmont State University anchors the college town of Fairmont, WV, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $86,071 four years out. 34.3% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 2,590 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 67.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 830 and 1040 — below the WV middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Fairmont State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Fairmont State University received 1,979 applications and admitted 1,964 (99.2%), with 673 enrolling.
Test scores are a required part of every application here. That makes the 830–1040 range unusually informative: everyone admitted is in the data.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 450 | 510 | 560 |
| SAT Math | 380 | 455 | 480 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 20 | 23 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Fairmont State University compares
| Fairmont State University | West Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 98.6% | 93.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,708 | $10,376 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $46,857 | $44,409 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Fairmont State University: $46,857 median at year ten, versus $44,409 across West Virginia institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,708 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $18,924. For non-residents, Fairmont State University's $18,924 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 2,590 undergrads, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
44.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 56% don't — ask a Fairmont State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Fairmont State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,071 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $75,569 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $75,102 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $74,806 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $71,751 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $62,302 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,376 |
| Information Science/Studies | $55,280 |
| Political Science and Government | $54,360 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,968 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,343 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,055 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $48,858 |
| Education, General | $46,625 |
| Psychology, General | $46,235 |
| Graphic Communications | $41,784 |
| History | $28,802 |
Median earnings for these 17 Fairmont State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $46,857 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 18 additional Fairmont State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Fairmont State University?
Among the admitted class, the middle 50% scored 830–1040 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 98.6% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Fairmont State University's acceptance rate?
99.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,964 admitted from 1,979 applicants.
How much does Fairmont State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,708; out-of-state students pay $18,924. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Fairmont State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $46,857 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in West Virginia
- Davis & Elkins College — 94.3% admitted
- Concord University — 92.6% admitted
- Bluefield State University — 97.2% admitted
- Marshall University — 95.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.