Francis Marion University vs. NSU

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

Francis Marion University NSU
Location Florence, SC Aberdeen, SD
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 4,017 3,521
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #895 #871
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fmarion.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Francis Marion University NSU
Tuition (In State) $10,384 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $20,768 $10,718
Room & Board $8,898 $10,300
Avg Net Price $11,231 $16,873
Avg Grant Aid $11,674 $5,565
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 93%

Admission

Francis Marion University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,489 1,082
Admitted 2,869 1,004
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 92.8%
Enrolled % 22% 31.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.89 3.37
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 900/1138 800/1150
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

Academics

Francis Marion University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Francis Marion University NSU
Graduation Rate 42% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,200 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 42% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $320 $252

Diversity

Francis Marion University NSU
% Men 2% 4%
% Women 8% 13%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 83%
% Black 47% 2%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Francis Marion University NSU
% In-State 92% 72%
% Out-of-State 6% 28%

Campus

Francis Marion University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,017 students vs. 3,521 students)

Francis Marion University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or NSU?

  • Francis Marion University is 36.3% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($10,384.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 93.8% higher at Francis Marion University than Northern State University ($20,768.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than NSU ($11,231 vs. $16,873)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 15.8% lower than costs at Northern State University ($8,898 vs. $10,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Northern State University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 109.8% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,674 vs. $5,565)

Francis Marion University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Francis Marion University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Francis Marion University .

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 97 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Francis Marion University (82.2%)

Francis Marion University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Francis Marion University or NSU? 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 NSU and Francis Marion University.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is the same as at Northern State University (42% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Northern State University earn on average $1,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $36,200)
  • Northern State University students graduate with a $6,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($24,399 vs. $31,000)
  • NSU graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($252 vs. $320)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 42%)

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