Head-to-head · 2026
Fairmont State University vs West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Compare average net price ($9,032 at Fairmont State University; $9,337 at West Virginia University Institute of Technology), ROI score (12.97 vs 14.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,857 vs $55,939), and admissions selectivity (98.6% acceptance at Fairmont State University; 36.7% at West Virginia University Institute of Technology) 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 Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.97 | 14.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,032 ✓ | $9,337 |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,128 ✓ | $37,348 |
| In-state tuition | $8,708 | $8,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,924 | $21,072 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,857 | $55,939 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 98.6% | 36.7% |
| Graduation rate | 44.3% ✓ | 33% |
| Retention rate | 67.4% ✓ | 61.8% |
| Median debt | $21,000 ✓ | $22,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,590 | 981 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 996 | 1033 |
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 Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,434 | $6,998 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,679 | $6,752 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,505 | $9,137 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,184 ✓ | $11,861 |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,945 ✓ | $14,797 |
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 Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 2% | 12.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.6% | 5.8% |
| Psychology, General | 6% | 7.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.7% | 10.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.3% | 6.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.3% | 5.3% |
| Security Science and Technology | 0.3% | 5.8% |
| Political Science and Government | 2.9% | 2.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Fairmont State University reports the lower average net price by $305 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,220 difference over four years ($36,128 vs $37,348).
West Virginia University Institute of Technology reports $9,082 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,939 vs $46,857). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.4% at Fairmont State University and 61.8% at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Median federal debt among completers is $21,000 vs $22,500, 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
Fairmont State University vs West Virginia University Institute of Technology, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Fairmont State University is cheaper — average net price $9,032 per year vs $9,337 at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. The annual difference of $305 adds up to about $1,220 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
West Virginia University Institute of Technology reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,939 vs $46,857 at Fairmont State University. The gap in the federal data is $9,082. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
West Virginia University Institute of Technology is more selective at 36.7% acceptance vs 98.6% at Fairmont State University.
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.