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Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University says yes to 82.2% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $40,144 median earnings.
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Fayetteville State University sits in Fayetteville proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $88,701 four years out. 56.6% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,762 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 855 and 1045 — below the NC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Fayetteville State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Fayetteville State University received 5,043 applications and admitted 4,029 (79.9%), with 807 enrolling.
Fayetteville State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 855–1045 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Fayetteville State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 445 | 490 | 520 |
| SAT Math | 410 | 460 | 525 |
| ACT Composite | 15 | 18 | 20 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Fayetteville State University compares
| Fayetteville State University | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 82.2% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $4,353 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $40,144 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
At $40,144, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($45,873). Look at Fayetteville State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $4,353 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $8,353. For non-residents, Fayetteville State University's $8,353 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,762 undergrads, Fayetteville State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of Fayetteville State University students — 38.5% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Fayetteville State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $88,701 |
| Fire Protection | $73,969 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,732 |
| Biology, General | $48,881 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,094 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,660 |
| Social Work | $46,119 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,610 |
| Sociology | $43,889 |
| Psychology, General | $43,358 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,270 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,325 |
| Computer Science | $36,164 |
Median earnings for these 13 Fayetteville State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $40,144 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 22 additional Fayetteville State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Fayetteville State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 855–1045 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 82.2% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Fayetteville State University's acceptance rate?
79.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,029 admitted from 5,043 applicants.
How much does Fayetteville State University cost?
In-state tuition is $4,353; out-of-state students pay $8,353. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Fayetteville State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $40,144 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Gardner-Webb University — 77.2% admitted
- Elon University — 66.3% admitted
- Elizabeth City State University — 64.2% admitted
- Greensboro College — 70.1% 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.