Head-to-head · 2026
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College vs Fairmont State University
Compare average net price ($4,641 at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; $9,032 at Fairmont State University), ROI score (21.17 vs 12.97), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,293 vs $46,857), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; 98.6% at Fairmont State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Fairmont State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 21.17 ✓ | 12.97 |
| Avg net price | $4,641 ✓ | $9,032 |
| 4-year avg net price | $18,564 ✓ | $36,128 |
| In-state tuition | $4,752 | $8,708 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,808 | $18,924 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,293 | $46,857 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.6% |
| Graduation rate | 32.3% | 44.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.4% ✓ | 67.4% |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,661 | 2,590 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 996 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Fairmont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,201 ✓ | $8,434 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,002 ✓ | $8,679 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,911 ✓ | $10,505 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,572 ✓ | $11,184 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,522 | $6,945 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Fairmont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 34.8% | 3.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.1% | 23.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.6% | 9.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.6% | 8.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 6.7% | 1.3% |
| Education, General | 1.4% | 3.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.7% | 1.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.9% | 1.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College reports the lower average net price by $4,391 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,564 difference over four years ($18,564 vs $36,128).
Fairmont State University reports $7,564 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,857 vs $39,293). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and 67.4% at Fairmont State University. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $21,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College vs Fairmont State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is cheaper — average net price $4,641 per year vs $9,032 at Fairmont State University. The annual difference of $4,391 adds up to about $17,564 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Fairmont State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,857 vs $39,293 at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $7,564. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.