ATU vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

ATU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Francis Marion University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than ATU ($11,727 vs. $12,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 8.8% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,432 vs. $10,338).
• Francis Marion University is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $2,486 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.9% higher at Francis Marion University than at Arkansas Tech University (about $6,876 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Arkansas Tech University (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 21.1% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($11,988 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Francis Marion University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Francis Marion University and ATU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arkansas Tech University (990) is the same as at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming ATU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Francis Marion University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

ATU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Francis Marion University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $13,250 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($17,750 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($183 vs. $320).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.