CAU vs. Francis Marion University

Should I go to Clark Atlanta University or Francis Marion University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CAU 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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Clark Atlanta University vs. Francis Marion University comparison
Clark Atlanta University Francis Marion University College 3 College 4
Clark Atlanta University Francis Marion University
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Overview

CAU Francis Marion University
Location Atlanta, GA Florence, SC
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 4,000 4,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #942
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $20,768
Room & Board $10,982 $8,230
Avg Net Price $30,015 $12,614
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $10,108
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 98%

Admission

CAU Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 3,523
Admitted 9,088 2,921
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 82.9%
Enrolled % 12.7% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.89
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 15/22
SAT Range 880/1120 890/1123
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 Apr 1, 2025

Academics

CAU Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

CAU Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 41% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $320

Diversity

CAU Francis Marion University
% Men 24% 33%
% Women 76% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 46%
% Black 84% 47%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 13% 1%

Students

CAU Francis Marion University
% In-State 27% 95%
% Out-of-State 72% 4%

Campus

CAU Francis Marion University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 CAU based on total student enrollment (4,045 students vs. 4,000 students)

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

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

  • Clark Atlanta University is 111.4% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.7% higher at CAU than Francis Marion University ($21,948.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than CAU ($12,614 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 33.4% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($8,230 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Clark Atlanta University (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 7.2% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($10,108 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU 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 CAU .

  • The average SAT score at Francis Marion University (927) is 77 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at CAU (18)
  • 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 (82.9%) than CAU (56.3%)

CAU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU 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 CAU.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Clark Atlanta University (42% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $2,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $36,200)
  • Francis Marion University and CAU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($31,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Francis Marion University and CAU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($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/