Francis Marion University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Francis Marion University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; Centra College 3:1.

Francis Marion University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 24.1% lower than at Centra College ($9,432 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $1,823 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at Francis Marion University than at Centra College (about $8,561 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Centra College (98% vs. 0%).

Francis Marion University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Francis Marion University or Centra College? 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 Centra College 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; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Francis Marion University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Francis Marion University and Centra College? 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).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $18,958 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($12,042 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($124 vs. $320).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.