MSU vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Midwestern State University is larger than Fairmont State based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 3,305 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Midwestern State University 18:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

MSU vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU 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 Midwestern State University than Fairmont State ($11,215 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 4.6% lower than at Fairmont State University ($11,124 vs. $11,656).
• Midwestern State University is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $1,872 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51% higher at Fairmont State than at Midwestern State University (about $6,394 more per year; $18,924.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Fairmont State University (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($11,037 vs. $8,552).

MSU vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or Fairmont State ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fairmont State and MSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 70 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 910/1100; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 16/22; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Enrolled freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at MSU (3.2).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than MSU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

MSU vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and Fairmont State ? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Midwestern State University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $299 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($227 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.