Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Florence, South Carolina |
| Online | fmarion.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small Suburban |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Francis Marion University is located in Florence, South Carolina, approximately 80 miles east of Columbia and 70 miles west of Myrtle Beach. Set on a 400-acre campus featuring a mix of modern and Georgian-style architecture, the university was established in 1970 as Francis Marion College and achieved university status in 1992. The public institution maintains a predominantly undergraduate focus, with noted programs in nursing, business, and education, while also offering select graduate degrees. The campus includes modern residence halls housing approximately one-third of the student population, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Patriots, participating in the Conference Carolinas.
Francis Marion University is designated as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and receives federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve low and middle-income Black Americans.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Francis Marion University is rated within the lower 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Francis Marion University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#895 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#353 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#16 in Best Colleges in South Carolina
#9 in Best Public Colleges in South Carolina
#24 in Best Value Colleges in South Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 900/1138 |
| ACT | 17/23 |
| GPA | 3.89 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $41 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,198 |
| Other Fees | $776 |
| Room and Board | $8,898 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,234 |
| Total One Year Cost | $25,490 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,198 |
| Other Fees | $776 |
| Room and Board | $8,898 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,234 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,874 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 23% |
| Biology | 14% |
| Health Professions | 14% |
| Social Sciences | 11% |
| Psychology | 10% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Francis Marion University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218061 IPEDS survey data for Francis Marion University.
Current students may use the Francis Marion University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025