Head-to-head · 2026
Francis Marion University vs University of South Carolina-Sumter
Compare average net price ($11,386 at Francis Marion University; $7,712 at University of South Carolina-Sumter), ROI score (9.64 vs 13.76), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,888 vs $42,437), and admissions selectivity (86.4% acceptance at Francis Marion University; 74.1% at University of South Carolina-Sumter) 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-Sumter |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.64 | 13.76 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,386 | $7,712 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,544 | $30,848 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,160 | $7,558 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,544 | $18,238 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,888 ✓ | $42,437 |
| Acceptance rate | 86.4% | 74.1% |
| Graduation rate | 43.4% ✓ | 39.2% |
| Retention rate | 70% ✓ | 59.3% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $9,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,628 | 716 |
| 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-Sumter |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,723 | $5,894 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,449 | $5,582 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,582 | $8,586 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,788 | $11,560 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,435 | $12,380 ✓ |
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-Sumter |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 100% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina-Sumter reports the lower average net price by $3,674 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,696 difference over four years ($30,848 vs $45,544).
Francis Marion University reports $1,451 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,888 vs $42,437). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70% at Francis Marion University and 59.3% at University of South Carolina-Sumter. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $9,250, respectively.
1 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-Sumter, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina-Sumter is cheaper — average net price $7,712 per year vs $11,386 at Francis Marion University. The annual difference of $3,674 adds up to about $14,696 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Francis Marion University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,888 vs $42,437 at University of South Carolina-Sumter. The gap in the federal data is $1,451. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina-Sumter is more selective at 74.1% 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.