Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 4,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Francis Marion University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,727 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 16.1% lower than at Francis Marion University ($7,911 vs. $9,432).
• Francis Marion University is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $1,200 more per year; $11,160.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at Francis Marion University than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $5,854 more per year; $21,544.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Francis Marion University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($11,988 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Francis Marion University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990) is the same as at Francis Marion University (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Francis Marion University 870/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Francis Marion University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; Francis Marion University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• Francis Marion University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $13,980 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($17,020 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($175 vs. $320).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.