Head-to-head · 2026
Francis Marion University vs University of South Carolina Beaufort
Compare average net price ($11,386 at Francis Marion University; $14,656 at University of South Carolina Beaufort), ROI score (9.64 vs 8.20), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,888 vs $48,088), and admissions selectivity (86.4% acceptance at Francis Marion University; 72.5% at University of South Carolina Beaufort) 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 Beaufort |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.64 ✓ | 8.20 |
| Avg net price | $11,386 ✓ | $14,656 |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,544 ✓ | $58,624 |
| In-state tuition | $11,160 | $10,730 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,544 | $21,776 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,888 | $48,088 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 86.4% | 72.5% |
| Graduation rate | 43.4% ✓ | 34% |
| Retention rate | 70% ✓ | 61.3% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $24,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,628 | 2,052 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1015 | — |
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 Beaufort |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,723 ✓ | $11,397 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,449 ✓ | $10,614 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,582 ✓ | $13,846 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,788 ✓ | $19,001 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,435 ✓ | $20,250 |
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 Beaufort |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.6% | 15.7% |
| Biology, General | 9.6% | 12.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8% | 12.2% |
| Psychology, General | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.4% | 3.7% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.7% | 5.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 5.3% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 2.1% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Francis Marion University reports the lower average net price by $3,270 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,080 difference over four years ($45,544 vs $58,624).
University of South Carolina Beaufort reports $4,200 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,088 vs $43,888). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70% at Francis Marion University and 61.3% at University of South Carolina Beaufort. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $24,000, 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.
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Frequently asked
Francis Marion University vs University of South Carolina Beaufort, 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 $14,656 at University of South Carolina Beaufort. The annual difference of $3,270 adds up to about $13,080 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Carolina Beaufort reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,088 vs $43,888 at Francis Marion University. The gap in the federal data is $4,200. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina Beaufort is more selective at 72.5% 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.