Francis Marion University vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Coastal Carolina University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Francis Marion University vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina ($11,727 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 22.3% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($9,432 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $480 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Francis Marion University (about $8,084 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Coastal Carolina University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($11,988 vs. $10,087).

Francis Marion University vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 150 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Francis Marion University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Francis Marion University vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Coastal Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $6,070 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($24,930 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($257 vs. $320).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.