SWU vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC 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 SWU based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

SWU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU 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 SWU ($11,727 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 6.9% lower than at Southern Wesleyan University ($9,432 vs. $10,126).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 167% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $18,640 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at SWU than at Francis Marion University (about $8,256 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 62.6% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($19,498 vs. $11,988).

SWU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or Francis Marion University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Francis Marion University and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 140 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming SWU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Francis Marion University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Francis Marion University (3.89).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

SWU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and Francis Marion University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at SWU is the same as at Francis Marion University (42% vs. 42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, SWU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.