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Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC·Public·5,762 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. graduation rate is below 40%. 57% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.

82%
Accept
5,762
Students
$7,892
Net Price
38%
Grad Rate
$34,600
Earnings
10 yr
$22,987
Debt

About This School

Fayetteville State University is a public institution located in Fayetteville, North Carolina with approximately 5,762 undergraduate students enrolled. Fayetteville State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $7,892 per year. The graduation rate is 38%, and the typical graduate earns $34,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black university in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $7,360/year after aid and a low median debt of $15,766, this is one of the most affordable four-year options you'll find, which matters a lot for students watching their bottom line. However, the 35% graduation rate is a serious concern — only about 1 in 3 students finishes, which means you need to go in with a clear plan and strong support system, not just good intentions. If you're cost-conscious, committed, and have a specific career path in mind, it's worth a look, but go in with eyes open about the completion challenge.

Founded
1867
Setting
Midsize city
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,421

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing21%
Health Professions18%
Psychology12%
Social Sciences6%
Biological Sciences4%
Education3%
Computer Science3%
Visual & Performing Arts2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Darrell ArmstrongBluefaceJunkyard DogAffion Crockett

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite959
Reading 75th %ile550
Math 75th %ile540

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite17

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$4,353
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,353
Avg Net Price
$7,892
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$6,233
$30–48k$6,908
$48–75k$8,983
$75–110k$13,354
$110k+$14,112

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants57%
Median debt at graduation$22,987

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$16,652

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
38%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
75%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$22,987
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$29,600
Female graduates$26,300

Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

Fayetteville State University graduates earn most above the national rate in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($50,732 vs $47,382 nationally), and most below it in Computer Science ($36,164 vs $107,009).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Psychology, General157$43,358$50,706−$7,348
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing146$88,701$88,910−$209
Business Administration, Management and Operations127$48,094$68,257−$20,163
Criminal Justice and Corrections87$46,660$55,378−$8,718
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities74$45,610$53,072−$7,462
Sociology53$43,889$52,657−$8,768
Biology, General44$48,881$57,214−$8,333
Social Work41$46,119$51,790−$5,671
Fire Protection37$73,969$86,436−$12,467
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods37$50,732$47,382+$3,350
Health and Medical Administrative Services36$42,270$58,716−$16,446
Computer Science21$36,164$107,009−$70,845

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$22,987
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$27,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.5x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White14%
Black64%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian1%
Two or more races6%
American Indian/Alaska Native2%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,762 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Fayetteville State University

1200 Murchison Rd

Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

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See How Colleges Compare

Fayetteville State University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Fayetteville State University?

Fayetteville State University has an acceptance rate of 82%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Fayetteville State University hard to get into?

Not especially. Fayetteville State University has an acceptance rate of 82%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does Fayetteville State University cost?

The average net price at Fayetteville State University is about $7,892 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Fayetteville State University?

Fayetteville State University has a graduation rate of 38%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Official School Resources
Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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