Central State University vs. Fairmont State

Should I go to Central State University or Fairmont State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central State University or Fairmont State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central State University vs. Fairmont State University comparison
Central State University Fairmont State University College 3 College 4
Central State University Fairmont State University
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Overview

Central State University Fairmont State
Location Wilberforce, OH Fairmont, WV
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 5,434 3,498
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1023 #979
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centralstate.edu fairmontstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central State University Fairmont State
Tuition (In State) $5,176 $6,022
Tuition (Out of State) $7,176 $15,638
Room & Board $10,900 $10,022
Avg Net Price $10,194 $10,794
Avg Grant Aid $6,943 $6,547
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 94%

Admission

Central State University Fairmont State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,814 1,926
Admitted 3,388 1,897
Acceptance Rate 88.8% 98.5%
Enrolled % 18.1% 37%
Avg High School GPA 2.8 3.36
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/18 18/23
SAT Range 770/950 820/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

Central State University Fairmont State
Student to Faculty Ratio 21:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)

Outcomes

Central State University Fairmont State
Graduation Rate 24% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $27,200 $37,600
Making Student Loan Payments 16% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $39,000 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $403 $227

Diversity

Central State University Fairmont State
% Men 30% 41%
% Women 70% 59%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 86%
% Black 95% 5%
% Hispanic 1% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Central State University Fairmont State
% In-State 55% 88%
% Out-of-State 36% 11%

Campus

Central State University Fairmont State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central State University is larger than than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (5,434 students vs. 3,498 students)

Central State University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central State University or Fairmont State ?

  • Fairmont State University is 16.3% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($6,022.00 vs. $5,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 117.9% higher at Fairmont State than Central State University ($15,638.00 vs. $7,176.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than Fairmont State ($10,194 vs. $10,794)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 8.8% lower than costs at Central State University ($10,022 vs. $10,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairmont State University than Central State University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central State University students is 6% larger than aid received Fairmont State University ($6,943 vs. $6,547)

Central State University vs. Fairmont State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central State University or Fairmont State ? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fairmont State or Central State University .

  • The average SAT score at Fairmont State University (962) is 185 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming Fairmont State students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Central State University (88.8%)

Central State University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central State University or Fairmont State ? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Fairmont State and Central State University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairmont State is higher than Central State University (33% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Fairmont State University earn on average $10,400 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($37,600 vs. $27,200)
  • Fairmont State University students graduate with a $17,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Fairmont State graduates are paying $176 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($227 vs. $403)
  • More Fairmont State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 16%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/