Union Commonwealth University vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY 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 Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth 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 Union Commonwealth University ($11,727 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 12.4% lower than at Francis Marion University ($8,261 vs. $9,432).
• Union Commonwealth University is 177.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $19,786 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Francis Marion University (about $9,402 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 124.9% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($26,961 vs. $11,988).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth 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 Union Commonwealth University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth 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 Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($24,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($248 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.