Francis Marion University

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Florence, SC
  • 0 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

Overview

Total enrollment

4,112
Francis Marion University overview
Francis Marion University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • 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

Francis Marion University is rated within the lower 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Francis Marion University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 870/1115
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 16/24
  • GPA 3.89

Acceptance Rate

86.4%
Francis Marion University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 22.5%
  • Application Fee $41

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

South Carolina Resident Tuition

$11,160

Out of State Resident Tuition

$21,544

Breakdown

In State Costs for Francis Marion University
  • Tuition $11,160
  • Books and Supplies $1,238
  • Other Fees $776
  • Room and Board $9,432
  • Budget for Other Expenses $4,376
  • Total One Year Cost $26,982

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$36,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

42% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Francis Marion University are Business, Biology, and Health Professions. 23% of students major in Business, 14% in Biology, and 14% in Health Professions.

  • Business 23%
  • Biology 14%
  • Health Professions 14%
  • Social Sciences 11%
  • Psychology 10%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Francis Marion University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218061.

GPA calculator: Francis Marion University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026