Shaw University vs. Francis Marion University

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

Shaw University Francis Marion University
Location Raleigh, NC Florence, SC
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,067 4,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #942
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shawu.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Shaw University Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $11,808 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $11,808 $20,768
Room & Board $8,514 $8,230
Avg Net Price $14,204 $12,614
Avg Grant Aid $15,548 $10,108
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 98%

Admission

Shaw University Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,435 3,523
Admitted 1,486 2,921
Acceptance Rate 61% 82.9%
Enrolled % 13.5% 21%
Avg High School GPA 2.6 3.89
Typical High School Grades C+ A-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/22
SAT Range 890/1123
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 30, 2025

Academics

Shaw University Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Shaw University Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 27% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,000 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 15% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $38,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $392 $320

Diversity

Shaw University Francis Marion University
% Men 47% 33%
% Women 53% 67%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 46%
% Black 58% 47%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 39% 1%

Students

Shaw University Francis Marion University
% In-State 55% 95%
% Out-of-State 34% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Francis Marion University is larger than than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (4,045 students vs. 1,067 students)

Shaw University vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shaw University or Francis Marion University?

  • Shaw University is 13.7% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($11,808.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.9% higher at Francis Marion University than Shaw University ($20,768.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Francis Marion University than Shaw University ($12,614 vs. $14,204)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 3.5% lower than costs at Shaw University ($8,230 vs. $8,514)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Francis Marion University than Shaw University (98% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 53.8% larger than aid received Francis Marion University ($15,548 vs. $10,108)

Shaw University vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shaw University 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 Shaw University .

  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 1.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Shaw University (2.6)
  • Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than Shaw University (61%)

Shaw University vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Shaw University 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 Shaw University.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Shaw University (42% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Francis Marion University earn on average $7,200 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($36,200 vs. $29,000)
  • Francis Marion University students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $38,000)
  • Francis Marion University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($320 vs. $392)
  • More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 15%)

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