Francis Marion University
#4 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,888 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,386 B
- 34% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.4 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $24.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,065,310.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 43% — 25% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Francis Marion University Matters
Francis Marion University is a public university in Florence, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,628
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Francis Marion University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 870–1115. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,386 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,888 ten years after enrolling — 8% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 51% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.05 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Francis Marion University attracts students who are looking for a supportive environment with a diverse range of studies. With an acceptance rate of 86%, it’s a place where many can find their academic footing. Popular programs include Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Social Sciences. This variety allows students to explore different fields while still feeling a sense of community.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $43,888 within a decade. This figure gives a good indication of the potential return on investment for students who choose to study here. With many graduates entering essential fields, the skills they develop are not only relevant but also in demand. Affordability plays a role in this journey, especially with 38% of students receiving Pell Grants, making it accessible for those who need financial assistance.
Looking at the practical side, the net price after aid is about $11,386, which is reasonable for a public university. However, the median debt stands at $27,000, so it’s important to be mindful of financial planning. Students who thrive here often take advantage of the strong community ties and local opportunities, making the most of their college experience while preparing for their future careers.
Rankings
- #4 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #9 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #9 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #9 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
- #9 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Francis Marion University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Francis Marion University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Francis Marion University, located in Florence, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,015. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1015
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- SAT Range
- 870–1115
- ACT Range
- 16–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,506
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 3,523
- Admitted
- 2,921
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Francis Marion University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Francis Marion University is $21,544, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,386. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,160
- Out-of-State
- $21,544
- Avg Net Price
- $11,386
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,723
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,449
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,582
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,435
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Francis Marion University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Francis Marion University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Francis Marion University report median earnings of $43,888, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,304
- 8 Years
- $38,848
- 10 Years
- $43,888
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (172)
- 23%
- 100% (172)
- 23%
- 100% (172)
- 23%
- 100% (172)
- 23%
How Francis Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Francis Marion University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Francis Marion University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,386/year ($45,544 total). Graduates earn $43,888 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,110,854 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,065,310 (24.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $45,544
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,110,854
- Net Return
- $1,065,310
- ROI Multiple
- 24.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,386
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Francis Marion University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Francis Marion University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.44%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $93,068
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,252,662
Top Programs
The fields Francis Marion University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $45,922 early-career
- Health Professions 21% $69,944 early-career
- Psychology 11% $28,834 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $33,483 early-career
- Education 9% $35,832 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $24,915 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $33,980 early-career
- Engineering 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Francis Marion University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Francis Marion University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Francis Marion University, located in Florence, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,015. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Francis Marion University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Francis Marion University is $21,544, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,386. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Francis Marion University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Francis Marion University report median earnings of $43,888, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Francis Marion University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Francis Marion University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Francis Marion University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Francis Marion University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.05, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Francis Marion University.
- University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · Close peer40% grad $45,603 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · Close peer34% grad $44,391 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin, MO · Close peer40% grad $42,620 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer29% grad $38,518 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · Close peer43% grad $46,001 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Francis Marion University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Francis Marion University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.05, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note