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Fairmont, West Virginia (2023)Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Fairmont

Fairmont is home to two colleges, with 3,944 students on campus

Fairmont State University (2,637 students on campus) and Pierpont Community and Technical College (1,307) are inside the city. About 9% of Fairmont’s residents are enrolled in college, above West Virginia (5%).

Fairmont State UniversityPierpont Community and Technical College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Fairmont. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
25,752 students on campus
Nearest college
0.8 mi
Fairmont State
Residents in college
9%
Above WV (5%)
Nearest community college
3.9 mi
Pierpont Community and Technical College · $5,762 tuition
Nearest public university
0.8 mi
Fairmont State · $8,708 in-state
Median household income
$63K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Fairmont

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 3.9 milesFairmont State University admits 99% of applicants. Together they have 3,944 students on campus.In-state price at Fairmont StateLiving in West Virginia, Fairmont State University charges $8,708 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $18,924. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 3.9 miles awayPierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont: tuition and fees $5,762 a year for West Virginia residents.Students are 9% of residentsAbove West Virginia (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Fairmont

One private college within 14.8 miles, two public colleges within 15 miles, and Pierpont Community and Technical College 3.9 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miWest Virginia UniversityFairmont StatePierpont Community and Technical CollegeFairmont
University or collegeCommunity college
Fairmont State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,637 on campus · In Fairmont99%admitted$9knet price44%graduate$47kearningsPierpont Community and Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,307 on campus · In Fairmont$8knet price42%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $5,762 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.West Virginia Junior College-BridgeportUniversity or college · For-profit · 117 on campus · 14.8 mi · BridgeportWest Virginia UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 21,691 on campus · 15 mi · Morgantown89%admitted$16knet price65%graduate$56kearningsEarnings are reported for all 3 campuses that file with it.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Fairmont’s median household income ($63,032) falls.

Pierpont Community and Technical CollegeIn Fairmont · sticker $14,707 · tuition $5,762$9,360a year
Fairmont State UniversityIn Fairmont · sticker $20,018$10,505a year
West Virginia University15 mi · Morgantown · sticker $26,415$14,179a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Fairmont: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Fairmont StatePierpont Community and Technical CollegeWest Virginia University
West Virginia University65% graduate$56k earnings*$22k typical debt
Fairmont State University44% graduate$47k earnings$21k typical debt
Pierpont Community and Technical College42% graduate$35k earnings$12k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: West Virginia University (3).

Majors

What students study in Fairmont

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Fairmont’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 27%Liberal arts 13%Business 9%Engineering tech 8%Psychology 6%Public safety 5%Everything else 32%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesPierpont Community and Technical College · 146 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsFairmont State University · 58 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsFairmont State University · 54 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessFairmont State University · 47 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Education, GeneralFairmont State University · 39 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingFairmont State University · 39 graduates a year
$86k4 yrs out
International Relations and National Security StudiesFairmont State University · 36 graduates a year
$72k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesFairmont State University · 35 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Fairmont

Is Fairmont a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Fairmont residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above West Virginia (5). The largest campus in the city, Fairmont State University, has 2,637 students on campus.

What colleges are in Fairmont?

Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Fairmont, and what does it cost?

Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont, 3.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,762 a year for West Virginia residents; the federal net price, $8,325, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Fairmont State University cost if we live in West Virginia?

Tuition and fees are $8,708 a year in-state and $18,924 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,434 (under $30,000 income) to $6,945 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Fairmont. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →