Livingstone College vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC 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 Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Livingstone College vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College ($11,727 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 28% lower than at Francis Marion University ($6,794 vs. $9,432).
• Livingstone College is 63.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $7,136 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Francis Marion University than at Livingstone College (about $3,248 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Francis Marion University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($15,485 vs. $11,988).

Livingstone College vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Francis Marion University (990) is 110 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 1.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Livingstone College vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Francis Marion University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($31,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Francis Marion University graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($320 vs. $434).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 13%)

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.