Piedmont College vs. Francis Marion University

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

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
Location Demorest, GA Florence, SC
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,840 4,017
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #718 #895
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website piedmont.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $30,200 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $30,200 $20,768
Room & Board $12,300 $8,898
Avg Net Price $21,599 $11,231
Avg Grant Aid $23,701 $11,674
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,066 3,489
Admitted 1,918 2,869
Acceptance Rate 92.8% 82.2%
Enrolled % 14.9% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 990/1170 900/1138
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026

Academics

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (40%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 46% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,000 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,736 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $245 $320

Diversity

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 26% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 46%
% Black 9% 47%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Piedmont College Francis Marion University
% In-State 85% 92%
% Out-of-State 14% 6%

Campus

Piedmont College 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 Piedmont College based on total student enrollment (4,017 students vs. 1,840 students)

Piedmont College vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Piedmont College or Francis Marion University?

  • Piedmont College is 190.8% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($30,200.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.4% higher at Piedmont College than Francis Marion University ($30,200.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Piedmont College ($11,231 vs. $21,599)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 38.2% lower than costs at Piedmont College ($8,898 vs. $12,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Piedmont College than Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Piedmont College students is 103% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($23,701 vs. $11,674)

Piedmont College vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Piedmont College (995) is 68 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming Piedmont College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Piedmont College (3.54)
  • Piedmont College has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Francis Marion University (82.2%)

Piedmont College vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Piedmont College 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 Piedmont College.

  • The graduation rate at Piedmont College is higher than Francis Marion University (46% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Piedmont College earn on average $4,800 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($41,000 vs. $36,200)
  • Piedmont College students graduate with a $7,264 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($23,736 vs. $31,000)
  • Piedmont College graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($245 vs. $320)
  • More Piedmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 42%)

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