ECU vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Francis Marion University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

ECU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Central University than Francis Marion University ($8,565 vs. $11,727).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 9.7% lower than at Francis Marion University ($8,516 vs. $9,432).
• Francis Marion University is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,128 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Francis Marion University than at East Central University (about $3,702 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at East Central University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 29.5% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($11,988 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Francis Marion University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at ECU (3.31).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

ECU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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 East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $14,122 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($16,878 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($174 vs. $320).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 42%)

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.