Gordon vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, 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 Gordon based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Gordon vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon State College than Francis Marion University ($7,807 vs. $11,727).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 9.7% lower than at Gordon State College ($9,432 vs. $10,444).
• Francis Marion University is 207.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $7,532 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.8% higher at Francis Marion University than at Gordon State College (about $10,596 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Gordon State College (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 85.5% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($11,988 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon 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 Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 20 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 Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Gordon vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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).

• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($17,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($180 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 26%)

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.