Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 47.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.3%
- Retention Rate
- 64.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $46,857
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 44.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,855 | $24,230 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $59,169 | $25,527 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,641 | $20,371 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $54,153 | $19,279 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $40,461 | $17,850 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $37,306 | $31,328 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $36,674 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $31,495 | $23,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,189 | $21,198 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $19,125 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $18,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $18,240 |
Outcomes Overview
Fairmont State graduates earn a median of $46,857 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 45% based on the typical $21,000 in student loans. Monthly loan payments of $223 consume about 5.7% of median earnings, which is manageable compared to the federal recommendation of keeping payments under 10% of income. The 95.6% employment rate shows strong job placement, though many graduates stay in West Virginia's more limited job market given that 85% of students come from in-state. Regional public universities like Fairmont State typically produce teachers, healthcare workers, and business professionals who serve local communities. With reasonable debt levels and solid employment outcomes, this represents an average return on investment.