Francis Marion University vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

Francis Marion University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

Francis Marion University vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or USC Beaufort? 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 Beaufort ($11,727 vs. $15,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 25.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($9,432 vs. $12,725).
• Francis Marion University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $430 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at USC Beaufort than at Francis Marion University (about $232 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($11,988 vs. $8,692).

Francis Marion University vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 40 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at USC Beaufort (3.82).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

Francis Marion University vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Francis Marion University and USC Beaufort? 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 Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of about $500 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $6,526 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($24,474 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($253 vs. $320).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.