
1201 Locust Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA


Fairmont State University has relatively low overall graduation rates compared to other institutions. The general graduation rate is 48%, placing the university in the bottom 35% of schools nationally. When broken down by gender, men graduate at a rate of 42%, while women graduate at a slightly higher rate of 53%, though both figures remain in the lower third percentile nationwide.
The four-year graduation rate is particularly low at 32%, ranking in the bottom 30% of institutions. Similarly, the six-year graduation rate stands at 45%, which also reflects a below-average level relative to other universities. Additionally, the retention rate at Fairmont State University is 64%, a figure marking it among the bottom 25% of comparable schools, indicating challenges in keeping students enrolled after their first year.
Graduates of Fairmont State University see a wide range in earning potential depending on their field of study. Among the highest earners are those with degrees in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, and Clinical Nursing, who average annual earnings of $62,620. This suggests strong career opportunities in the healthcare sector for students pursuing these programs.
Engineering technologies also offer competitive salaries. Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn an average of $54,279 per year, while those in Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians make around $46,294 annually. Information Science/Studies graduates have an average income of $44,049, indicating promising prospects in information management and technology fields.
Other technical and scientific disciplines deliver moderate income levels. Biology graduates earn approximately $34,804 yearly, closely followed by Education, General at $32,334, and International Relations and National Security Studies at $31,701. Students pursuing Business Administration, Management and Operations report earnings near $31,631, which places them in a competitive position for management roles post-graduation.
Fields in the social sciences and liberal arts also show varied earning outcomes. Graduates in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities earn about $30,125, while those in Criminal Justice and Corrections make $29,253, and Political Science and Government graduates receive roughly $29,216 annually. Degrees in Psychology offer slightly lower earnings at approximately $21,691, and Graphic Communications graduates earn around $20,857.
Other fields such as Health and Physical Education/Fitness show earnings near $25,042, demonstrating modest financial returns for degrees focused on physical health and fitness careers. Overall, the data highlights that technical and healthcare-related degrees from Fairmont State University tend to lead to higher income levels, while liberal arts and social science fields generally report more moderate earnings.
Career Centers:
Full time employees: 3
Part time employees: 1
Career Counselling:
Individual: All undergraduates
Group: All undergraduates
Career Center services:
Other information:
Job bank on campus
YesJob fairs on campus
YesIndividual job placement
All undergraduatesOn campus employer recruitment
All undergraduatesBACHELOR’S Degree
Architecture and Related Services
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Engineering
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
English Language and Literature/Letters
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Social Sciences
Transportation and Materials Moving
Visual and Performing Arts
Health Professions and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
MASTER’S Degree
Architecture and Related Services
Education
Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Social Sciences
Health Professions and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services