Head-to-head · 2026
Fairmont State University vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Compare average net price ($9,032 at Fairmont State University; $1,807 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg), ROI score (12.97 vs 48.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,857 vs $35,171), and admissions context (98.6% at Fairmont State University; Open / not reported at West Virginia University at Parkersburg) 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 | Fairmont State University | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.97 | 48.66 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,032 | $1,807 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,128 | $7,228 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,708 | $4,612 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,924 | $9,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,857 ✓ | $35,171 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 44.3% ✓ | 9.1% |
| Retention rate | 67.4% | — |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $12,570 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,590 | 1,868 |
| 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 | Fairmont State University | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,434 | $723 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,679 | $50 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,505 | $1,589 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,184 | $5,407 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,945 ✓ | $7,562 |
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 | Fairmont State University | West Virginia University at Parkersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 23.6% | 13.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.7% | 27.1% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.6% | 6.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.5% | 3.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.6% | 2% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Graphic Communications | 0.9% | 1.4% |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 0.6% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports the lower average net price by $7,225 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $28,900 difference over four years ($7,228 vs $36,128).
Fairmont State University reports $11,686 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,857 vs $35,171). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
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
Fairmont State University vs West Virginia University at Parkersburg, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg is cheaper — average net price $1,807 per year vs $9,032 at Fairmont State University. The annual difference of $7,225 adds up to about $28,900 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Fairmont State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,857 vs $35,171 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. The gap in the federal data is $11,686. 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.