Francis Marion University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; Radford University 14:1.

Francis Marion University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or RU? 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 RU ($11,727 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 24.6% lower than at Radford University ($9,432 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $1,388 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at RU than at Francis Marion University (about $4,089 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Radford University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 1% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($11,988 vs. $11,870).

Francis Marion University vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming RU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Francis Marion University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Francis Marion University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.