Converse College vs. Francis Marion University

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

Converse College Francis Marion University
Location Spartanburg, SC Florence, SC
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,284 4,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #588 #942
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website converse.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Converse College Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $21,060 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $21,060 $20,768
Room & Board $12,664 $8,230
Avg Net Price $19,653 $12,614
Avg Grant Aid $14,959 $10,108
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Converse College Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,917 3,523
Admitted 1,621 2,921
Acceptance Rate 55.6% 82.9%
Enrolled % 13.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.89 3.89
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/26 15/22
SAT Range 1020/1235 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

Converse College Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 60% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,000 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,952 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $278 $320

Diversity

Converse College Francis Marion University
% Men 21% 33%
% Women 79% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 46%
% Black 9% 47%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Converse College Francis Marion University
% In-State 64% 95%
% Out-of-State 30% 4%

Campus

Converse College 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 Converse College based on total student enrollment (4,045 students vs. 1,284 students)

Converse College vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

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

  • Converse College is 102.8% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($21,060.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Converse College than Francis Marion University ($21,060.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Converse College ($12,614 vs. $19,653)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 53.9% lower than costs at Converse College ($8,230 vs. $12,664)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Converse College than Francis Marion University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Converse College students is 48% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($14,959 vs. $10,108)

Converse College vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Converse College (1040) is 113 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Converse College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Converse College students have at the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Francis Marion University (3.89)
  • Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than Converse College (55.6%)

Converse College vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Converse 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 Converse College.

  • The graduation rate at Converse College is higher than Francis Marion University (60% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Francis Marion University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Converse College graduates after ten years. ($36,200 vs. $33,000)
  • Converse College students graduate with a $4,048 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($26,952 vs. $31,000)
  • Converse College graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($278 vs. $320)
  • More Converse College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 42%)

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