CSU vs. Francis Marion University

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or Francis Marion University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or Francis Marion University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Charleston Southern University vs. Francis Marion University comparison
Charleston Southern University Francis Marion University College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University Francis Marion University
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Overview

CSU Francis Marion University
Location Charleston, SC Florence, SC
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,545 4,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #915 #895
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $30,380 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $30,380 $20,768
Room & Board $11,590 $8,898
Avg Net Price $21,347 $11,231
Avg Grant Aid $22,411 $11,674
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

CSU Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,072 3,489
Admitted 4,620 2,869
Acceptance Rate 76.1% 82.2%
Enrolled % 15.7% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.89
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 17/23
SAT Range 950/1160 900/1138
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

CSU Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

CSU Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 38% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $320

Diversity

CSU Francis Marion University
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 11% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 61% 46%
% Black 26% 47%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

CSU Francis Marion University
% In-State 73% 92%
% Out-of-State 24% 6%

Campus

CSU Francis Marion University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,017 students vs. 3,545 students)

CSU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Francis Marion University?

  • Charleston Southern University is 192.6% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($30,380.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.3% higher at CSU than Francis Marion University ($30,380.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than CSU ($11,231 vs. $21,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 30.3% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($8,898 vs. $11,590)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University as Francis Marion University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 92% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($22,411 vs. $11,674)

CSU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Francis Marion University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Francis Marion University or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 103 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than CSU (76.1%)

CSU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or Francis Marion University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Francis Marion University and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Charleston Southern University (42% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($39,800 vs. $36,200)
  • Charleston Southern University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $31,000)
  • CSU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($279 vs. $320)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/