WSSU vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Winston Salem 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: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

WSSU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU 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 WSSU ($11,727 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 17.9% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($9,432 vs. $11,484).
• Francis Marion University is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $5,034 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Francis Marion University than at Winston Salem State University (about $4,762 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at Winston Salem State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($11,988 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU 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 WSSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Francis Marion University (990) is 60 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

WSSU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU 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 Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Francis Marion University earn a median of about $500 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $5,337 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($25,663 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($265 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 33%)

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.