Head-to-head · 2026
Francis Marion University vs University of South Carolina Aiken
Compare average net price ($11,386 at Francis Marion University; $11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken), ROI score (9.64 vs 9.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,888 vs $45,603), and admissions selectivity (86.4% acceptance at Francis Marion University; 78.5% at University of South Carolina Aiken) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Francis Marion University | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.64 | 9.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,386 ✓ | $11,641 |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,544 ✓ | $46,564 |
| In-state tuition | $11,160 | $10,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,544 | $21,218 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,888 | $45,603 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 86.4% | 78.5% |
| Graduation rate | 43.4% ✓ | 39.9% |
| Retention rate | 70% ✓ | 66.8% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $24,275 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,628 | 2,962 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1015 | 1120 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Francis Marion University | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,723 | $8,987 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,449 | $8,435 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,582 | $11,440 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,788 ✓ | $16,046 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,435 ✓ | $17,502 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Francis Marion University | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8% | 45.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.6% | 14.9% |
| Psychology, General | 9.3% | 4.2% |
| Biology, General | 9.6% | 3.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.4% | 6.9% |
| Sociology | 3.2% | 2.5% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 3.9% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Francis Marion University reports the lower average net price by $255 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,020 difference over four years ($45,544 vs $46,564).
University of South Carolina Aiken reports $1,715 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,603 vs $43,888). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70% at Francis Marion University and 66.8% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $24,275, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Francis Marion University vs University of South Carolina Aiken, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Francis Marion University is cheaper — average net price $11,386 per year vs $11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken. The annual difference of $255 adds up to about $1,020 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Carolina Aiken reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,603 vs $43,888 at Francis Marion University. The gap in the federal data is $1,715. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina Aiken is more selective at 78.5% acceptance vs 86.4% at Francis Marion University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.