Francis Marion University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Francis Marion University in Florence, SC with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Francis Marion University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos than Francis Marion University ($10,241 vs. $11,727).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 33.4% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($9,432 vs. $14,152).
• Francis Marion University is 38.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $3,078 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Francis Marion University than at California State University San Marcos (about $862 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 7.8% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($11,988 vs. $11,123).

Francis Marion University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Francis Marion University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Francis Marion University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 50 points higher than at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Francis Marion University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Francis Marion University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Francis Marion University and California State University-San Marcos? 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Francis Marion University's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $13,005 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($17,995 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($186 vs. $320).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.