Francis Marion University vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Francis Marion University in Florence, SC with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Francis Marion University 13:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Francis Marion University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Francis Marion University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than Francis Marion University ($10,832 vs. $11,727).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 7.3% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($9,432 vs. $10,176).
• Francis Marion University is 44.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $3,452 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at Francis Marion University than at University of Houston Downtown (about $3,996 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Francis Marion University than at University of Houston Downtown (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($11,988 vs. $10,257).

Francis Marion University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Francis Marion University or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and Francis Marion University.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 40 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 University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 870/1115; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Francis Marion University 16/24; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Francis Marion University - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Francis Marion University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Francis Marion University vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Francis Marion University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Francis Marion University and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $12,250 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($18,750 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($193 vs. $320).
• More Francis Marion University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 41%)

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.