Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University

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

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
Location Americus, GA Florence, SC
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,070 4,045
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #908 #942
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gsw.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $20,768
Room & Board $8,978 $8,230
Avg Net Price $12,186 $12,614
Avg Grant Aid $9,472 $10,108
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,939 3,523
Admitted 1,419 2,921
Acceptance Rate 73.2% 82.9%
Enrolled % 34.2% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.89
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 15/22
SAT Range 1010/1160 890/1123
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 21, 2025

Academics

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 30% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $320

Diversity

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
% Men 33% 33%
% Women 67% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 46%
% Black 29% 47%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Georgia Southwestern Francis Marion University
% In-State 95% 95%
% Out-of-State 4% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (4,045 students vs. 3,070 students)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or Francis Marion University?

  • Francis Marion University is 155.5% more expensive to attend than Georgia Southwestern for in-state tuition ($10,384.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.5% higher at Francis Marion University than Georgia Southwestern State University ($20,768.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia Southwestern State University than Francis Marion University ($12,186 vs. $12,614)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 9.1% lower than costs at Georgia Southwestern State University ($8,230 vs. $8,978)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 6.7% larger than aid received Georgia Southwestern State University ($10,108 vs. $9,472)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Georgia Southwestern State University (967) is 40 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17)
  • Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than Georgia Southwestern (73.2%)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Georgia Southwestern or Francis Marion 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 Francis Marion University and Georgia Southwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University (42% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Georgia Southwestern State University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($38,100 vs. $36,200)
  • Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate with a $9,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Georgia Southwestern graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($227 vs. $320)
  • More Georgia Southwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 42%)

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