Warren Wilson vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC 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 Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson ($11,727 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 27.7% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($9,432 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 271.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Francis Marion University (about $30,340 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $11,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at Warren Wilson than at Francis Marion University (about $19,956 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $21,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 157.6% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($30,887 vs. $11,988).

Warren Wilson vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Francis Marion University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFrancis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Warren Wilson (3.6).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Warren Wilson vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.