CAU vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU 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 CAU ($11,727 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 26% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($9,432 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 153.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $17,150 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at CAU than at Francis Marion University (about $6,766 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Clark Atlanta University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($12,453 vs. $11,988).

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU 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 CAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clark Atlanta University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at CAU (3.28).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU 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).

• Francis Marion University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Clark Atlanta University's (41%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Francis Marion University and CAU graduates have the same median loan debt ($31,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Francis Marion University and CAU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($320 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 30%)

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.