EWU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 3,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Washington University 18:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

EWU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EWU or Fairmont State ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairmont State University than EWU ($11,328 vs. $14,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 25.2% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($11,656 vs. $15,574).
• Fairmont State University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $122 more per year; $8,708.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at EWU than at Fairmont State University (about $7,035 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Eastern Washington University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($10,001 vs. $8,552).

EWU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EWU or Fairmont State ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fairmont State and EWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Washington University (990) is 50 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 880/1090; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 16/23; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EWU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Fairmont State - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at EWU (3.29).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than EWU (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at EWU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

EWU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EWU and Fairmont State ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $1,182 lower median loan debt than Fairmont State graduates ($20,818 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairmont State graduates ($215 vs. $227).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.