Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Francis Marion University is larger than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or Francis Marion University? 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 Georgia Southwestern ($11,727 vs. $11,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 13.1% lower than at Georgia Southwestern State University ($9,432 vs. $10,850).
• Francis Marion University is 113.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $5,940 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at Francis Marion University than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $4,972 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Georgia Southwestern State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 31.7% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($11,988 vs. $9,104).

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southwestern State University (1000) is 10 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 Georgia Southwestern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• 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 (86.4%) than Georgia Southwestern (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern and Francis Marion University? 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 Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($22,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.