Fairmont State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$33,816
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,197/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
267%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The average in-state tuition at Fairmont State University is $8,454. One year after graduation, alumni earn an average of $39,489. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $41,197, and after ten years, earnings reach $46,857. The median debt for students is $21,000, and 41.3% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.53. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the average annual earnings one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, the break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the increased earnings to cover the tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,454
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,197
Graduation Rate
47%
Receive Financial Aid
41%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $33,816 | $64,254 | 1630% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $33,816 | $44,769 | 478% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $33,816 | $43,086 | 378% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $33,816 | $70,701 | 2011% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $33,816 | $46,708 | 592% |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | $33,816 | $70,880 | 2022% |
| Education, General. | $33,816 | $41,084 | 260% |
| Psychology, General. | $33,816 | $36,992 | 18% |
| Political Science and Government. | $33,816 | $0 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $33,816 | $42,940 | 370% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $33,816 | $45,731 | 535% |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | $33,816 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
267%
20yr ROI
313%
20yr ROI
123%
20yr ROI
226%
20yr ROI
178%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.