Francis Marion University vs. Shepherd University

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

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
Location Florence, SC Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Small Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 4,017 3,318
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #895 #884
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fmarion.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $10,384 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $20,768 $15,774
Room & Board $8,898 $11,308
Avg Net Price $11,231 $12,651
Avg Grant Aid $11,674 $8,183
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 95%

Admission

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,489 1,793
Admitted 2,869 1,715
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 95.6%
Enrolled % 22% 33%
Avg High School GPA 3.89 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 20/24
SAT Range 900/1138 900/1140
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 Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 42% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,200 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 42% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $320 $229

Diversity

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
% Men 2% 3%
% Women 8% 9%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 82%
% Black 47% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Francis Marion University Shepherd University
% In-State 92% 72%
% Out-of-State 6% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (4,017 students vs. 3,318 students)

Francis Marion University vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

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

  • Francis Marion University is 65.1% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($10,384.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.7% higher at Francis Marion University than Shepherd University ($20,768.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Shepherd University ($11,231 vs. $12,651)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 27.1% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($8,898 vs. $11,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Shepherd University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 42.7% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($11,674 vs. $8,183)

Francis Marion University vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 68 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Shepherd University 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 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Shepherd University (3.6)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Francis Marion University (82.2%)

Francis Marion University vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than Francis Marion University (46% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $36,200)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $8,777 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($22,223 vs. $31,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $91 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($229 vs. $320)
  • More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

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