Cleveland State vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cleveland State vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State ($11,727 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 37.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($9,432 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $1,828 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Francis Marion University than at Cleveland State University (about $3,034 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Cleveland State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,988 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Francis Marion University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Cleveland State vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($21,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($222 vs. $320).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.