Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

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

Francis Marion University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College 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 Columbia College ($11,727 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 0.4% lower than at Francis Marion University ($9,390 vs. $9,432).
• Columbia College is 99.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $11,054 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Columbia College than at Francis Marion University (about $670 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Columbia College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($16,451 vs. $11,988).

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 10 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $5,736 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($25,264 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($261 vs. $320).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.