Fairmont, WV · Private University
Is Fairmont State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$46,857
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,454
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,372
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$73,488
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,055
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Fairmont State University graduates earn $1,857 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Fairmont State University ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
27 graduates
61 graduates
21 graduates
19 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Fairmont State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Fairmont State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians: $89,136) and the lowest (Political Science and Government: $34,992) is $54,144/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansBest ROI | $89,136 | 4.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,880 | 3.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,701 | 3.9x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $70,327 | 3.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $64,975 | 3.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,226 | 3.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,731 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,769 | 2.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,086 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,940 | 2.3x |
| Education, General | $41,084 | 2.2x |
| Psychology, General | $36,992 | 2.0x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies(1yr data) | $35,925 | 2.0x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $35,741 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and GovernmentLowest(1yr data) | $34,992 | 1.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Fairmont State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $46,857 10 years after starting, $1,857 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.