Columbia International University vs. Francis Marion University

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

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Location Columbia, SC Florence, SC
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 2,631 4,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #867 #895
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $26,700 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $26,700 $20,768
Room & Board $11,950 $8,898
Avg Net Price $21,320 $11,231
Avg Grant Aid $18,883 $11,674
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 98%

Admission

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 372 3,489
Admitted 363 2,869
Acceptance Rate 97.6% 82.2%
Enrolled % 32% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/25 17/23
SAT Range 990/1195 900/1138
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 57% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $320

Diversity

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
% Men 28% 2%
% Women 37% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 46%
% Black 10% 47%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
% In-State 57% 92%
% Out-of-State 41% 6%

Campus

Columbia International University Francis Marion University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (4,017 students vs. 2,631 students)

Columbia International University vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 157.1% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($26,700.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.6% higher at Columbia International University than Francis Marion University ($26,700.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Columbia International University ($11,231 vs. $21,320)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 34.3% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,898 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 61.8% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($18,883 vs. $11,674)

Columbia International University vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University 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 International University .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 118 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Francis Marion University (82.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University 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 International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Francis Marion University (57% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Francis Marion University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($36,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($222 vs. $320)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/