Francis Marion University vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

Francis Marion University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Francis Marion University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken ($11,727 vs. $12,236).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 2.7% lower than at Francis Marion University ($9,182 vs. $9,432).
• Francis Marion University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $400 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Francis Marion University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $326 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 34.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($11,988 vs. $8,904).

Francis Marion University vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 110 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming USC Aiken 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; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Francis Marion University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Francis Marion University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($26,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($268 vs. $320).
• More USC Aiken 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.