Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,727 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 14.5% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,432 vs. $11,028).
• Francis Marion University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $799 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.9% higher at Francis Marion University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $11,183 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($11,988 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 30 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Francis Marion University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $9,322 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($21,678 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($224 vs. $320).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.