Marshall University vs Fairmont State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fairmont State University comes closer — median earnings $46,857 against a $36,128 total, vs $46,354 at Marshall University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Marshall University | Fairmont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,502 | $9,032 |
| Total net cost | $30,008 | $36,128 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,354 | $46,857 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $21,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$70,128 | -$66,188 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Marshall University or Fairmont State University?
Marshall University, at $7,502 a year after aid versus $9,032 — a gap of $1,530 a year, or $6,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Marshall University or Fairmont State University graduates earn more?
Fairmont State University graduates report a median $46,857 ten years after entry, $503 more than the $46,354 at Marshall University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Marshall University or Fairmont State University?
Fairmont State University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Marshall University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Marshall University, against 44% at Fairmont State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.