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GS Georgia State University of West Georgia KSU VSU Clayton State University TROY Coastal Carolina Albany State University USC Beaufort Coker ASU| Columbus State University | Francis Marion University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Florence, SC | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 4,045 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #942 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | fmarion.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $10,384 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $20,768 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $8,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $12,614 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $10,108 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 98% |
Admission |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 3,523 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 2,921 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 82.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.89 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 15/22 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 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 | Jun 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $36,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 42% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $31,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $320 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 33% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 67% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 46% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 47% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Columbus State | Francis Marion University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 95% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 4% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | 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
- Columbus State University is larger than than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 4,045 students)
Columbus State vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Francis Marion University?
- Francis Marion University is 137.6% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($10,384.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 34.6% higher at Francis Marion University than Columbus State University ($20,768.00 vs. $15,425.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Columbus State ($12,614 vs. $12,902)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 46.8% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($8,230 vs. $12,080)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University as Francis Marion University (98% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 10.5% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($10,108 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 34 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
- Incoming Columbus State students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Francis Marion University (20)
- Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Francis Marion University (82.9%)
Columbus State vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Columbus State University (42% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $1,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $36,200)
- Columbus State University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $31,000)
- Columbus State graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($268 vs. $320)
- More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/