DSC vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

DSC vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than Francis Marion University ($5,625 vs. $11,727).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 9.5% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,432 vs. $10,419).
• Francis Marion University is 234.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $7,824 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.2% higher at Francis Marion University than at Dalton State College (about $10,888 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Dalton State College (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 80.2% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($11,988 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFrancis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFrancis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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).

• Francis Marion University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $16,113 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($14,887 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $167 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($153 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.