Nursing at Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Fairmont State University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,690 students in Fairmont, WV.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,582/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 43.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $69,582 far exceeding the $20,371 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #703 of 947 Nursing programs, Fairmont State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $72,166 are relatively flat compared to the $69,582 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
76
Score
76
High End
Earnings $69,582/yr (0% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$728K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
43.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$16,908
Out-of-state: $36,744
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,371
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,166
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Fairmont State University and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Fairmont State University's Nursing program score?
A score of 76/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Fairmont State University trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Fairmont State University specifically, the gap between optimistic ($727,981) and pessimistic ($727,981) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at Fairmont State University?
Median debt of just $20,371 against $69,582/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Fairmont State University?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →