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Francis Marion University

Florence, South Carolina 29506

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesRuralSports culture

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Francis Marion University is a public institution in Florence with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1039, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.6K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

43% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $43,888 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,451.

Established
1970
Mascot
Patriot
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

82%Acceptance
1039SAT Avg
2,640Students
12:1Student:Faculty
43%Grad Rate
$43,888Earnings 10yr
$13,451Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate82.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1039

Reading & WritingMid: 520
470590
MathMid: 505
430548

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 19
1723

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,160
Tuition (out-of-state)$21,544
Room & Board$8,898
Books & Supplies$1,198
Total Cost of Attendance$22,944
Average Net Price$13,451
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,670
$30–48K$12,892
$48–75K$15,205
$75–110K$17,514
$110K+$17,623

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,617

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

16

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (43)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,640
Gender Split
64% / 36%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
39%

Race & Ethnicity

White 47%
Black 38%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate42.7%
Freshman Retention69.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$36,304
10 Years$43,888

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

GolfWomen

History & Fun Facts

  • History The university dates back to 1957, when the University of South Carolina set up a freshman college in a basement room of the Florence County Library.
  • McNair signed into law an act creating Francis Marion College, effective July 1, 1970.
  • In 1992, Francis Marion College achieved university status and subsequently changed its name to Francis Marion University.
  • The Slave Houses, Gregg Plantation, located on the FMU campus, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SC state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
99 mi(172 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
124 mi(215 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
273 mi(473 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte102 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham127 mi
RIC Richmond264 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA731 mi · ~21h 7m drive
New York, NY547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Hartford, CT646 mi · ~18h 40m drive
Providence, RI692 mi · ~19h 59m drive
Albany, NY666 mi · ~19h 14m drive
Syracuse, NY640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Rochester, NY629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Buffalo, NY602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
Philadelphia, PA469 mi · ~13h 33m drive
Pittsburgh, PA432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
Newark, NJ543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Washington, DC357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Baltimore, MD391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Atlanta, GA273 mi · ~7h 53m drive
Charlotte, NC99 mi · ~2h 52m drive
Raleigh, NC124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
Miami, FL583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
Orlando, FL404 mi · ~11h 40m drive
Tampa, FL462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Nashville, TN425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
New Orleans, LA676 mi · ~19h 32m drive
Richmond, VA263 mi · ~7h 36m drive
Chicago, IL685 mi · ~19h 47m drive
Detroit, MI592 mi · ~17h 6m drive
Minneapolis, MN1037 mi · ~29h 57m drive
St. Louis, MO661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Kansas City, MO893 mi · ~25h 48m drive
Indianapolis, IN526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Columbus, OH439 mi · ~12h 41m drive
Cleveland, OH517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Milwaukee, WI756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Dallas, TX992 mi · ~28h 39m drive
Houston, TX969 mi · ~28h drive
Austin, TX1090 mi · ~31h 29m drive
San Antonio, TX1152 mi · ~33h 17m drive
Los Angeles, CA2194 mi · ~63h 23m drive
San Francisco, CA2383 mi · ~68h 51m drive
San Diego, CA2152 mi · ~62h 10m drive
Seattle, WA2378 mi · ~68h 42m drive
Portland, OR2380 mi · ~68h 45m drive
Denver, CO1445 mi · ~41h 45m drive
Phoenix, AZ1854 mi · ~53h 34m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1814 mi · ~52h 24m drive
Honolulu, HI4753 mi · ~137h 19m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Francis Marion University Application Checklist

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