Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University

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

Columbia College Francis Marion University
Location Columbia, SC Florence, SC
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,514 4,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #913 #942
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbiasc.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $21,250 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $21,250 $20,768
Room & Board $8,400 $8,230
Avg Net Price $18,779 $12,614
Avg Grant Aid $16,089 $10,108
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 98%

Admission

Columbia College Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,176 3,523
Admitted 2,135 2,921
Acceptance Rate 98.1% 82.9%
Enrolled % 8.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/18 15/22
SAT Range 850/1140 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

Academics

Columbia College Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 50% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,700 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,264 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $261 $320

Diversity

Columbia College Francis Marion University
% Men 15% 33%
% Women 85% 67%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 46%
% Black 34% 47%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Columbia College Francis Marion University
% In-State 76% 95%
% Out-of-State 22% 4%

Campus

Columbia College 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 Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,045 students vs. 1,514 students)

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Francis Marion University?

  • Columbia College is 104.6% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($21,250.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.3% higher at Columbia College than Francis Marion University ($21,250.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Columbia College ($12,614 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 2.1% lower than costs at Columbia College ($8,230 vs. $8,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Columbia College (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 59.2% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($16,089 vs. $10,108)

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia College (971) is 44 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Columbia College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • 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 (98.1%) than Francis Marion University (82.9%)

Columbia College vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Francis Marion University (50% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Francis Marion University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($36,200 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $5,736 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans 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/