Warren Wilson vs. Francis Marion University

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Francis Marion University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (4,112 students vs. 791 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Francis Marion University is in Florence, SC (Small Suburban setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Francis Marion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Francis Marion University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 27.7% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($9,432 vs. $13,050).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at Warren Wilson than at Francis Marion University (about $19,956 more per year; $41,500 vs. $21,544).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Francis Marion University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 157.6% larger than aid received by Francis Marion University students ($30,887 vs. $11,988).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Warren Wilson than at Francis Marion University (25 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Warren Wilson and Francis Marion University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Francis Marion University average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at Warren Wilson (3.6).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 22.5% at Francis Marion University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Francis Marion University graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 42%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.