Francis Marion University vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Francis Marion University in Florence, SC with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Francis Marion University is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Francis Marion University vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or Carolina 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 Francis Marion University than Carolina University ($11,727 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 23.9% lower than at Carolina University ($9,432 vs. $12,400).
• Carolina University is 57.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $6,415 more per year; $17,575.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Francis Marion University than at Carolina University (about $3,969 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Carolina University students ($11,988 vs. $11,947).

Francis Marion University vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Francis Marion University or Carolina 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 Carolina University and Francis Marion University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.89 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Francis Marion University vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Francis Marion University and Carolina 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).

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.