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Florence , SC
Francis Marion University (FMU) is a public liberal arts university located in Florence, South Carolina. Established in 1970, FMU is named after the Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, also known as the "Swamp Fox." The university offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs in arts, sciences, business, education, and health sciences, as well as a few graduate programs.
FMU is known for its strong commitment to providing students with a quality education, personalized attention, and a supportive campus community. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, students benefit from small class sizes and close relationships with their professors. The university also offers various resources and support services, such as tutoring, career counseling, and internships, to ensure students' academic and personal success.
Located in the heart of Florence, FMU offers students a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. The university's athletic teams, known as the Patriots, compete at the NCAA Division II level and offer opportunities for students to engage in competitive sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and golf. FMU also hosts various events, including concerts, art exhibits, and cultural performances, enriching the cultural and social experiences of its students.
In conclusion, Francis Marion University is a respected institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, personalized attention, and vibrant campus community. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, students have the opportunity to pursue their interests and achieve their academic goals. Whether it is the small class sizes, the supportive campus community, or the diverse extracurricular activities, FMU provides an environment that fosters growth and success for its students.
Located in Florence, SC and set in a rural environment, Francis Marion University is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 86%. The freshman retention rate at Francis Marion University is 70% and the six-year graduation rate is 43%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Francis Marion University.
Quick Facts
3,635
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
43%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Learn some relevant info about admission policy and requirements at Francis Marion University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,123 in 2025. Francis Marion University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 16% and ACT scores 11%. 14% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 35% between 1,000 and 1,199, 41% between 800 and 999, and 10% between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 4, 22 between 24-29, 43 in the range between 18-23, 29 between 12-17, and 3 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 20 and the average GPA was 3.83. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Francis Marion University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 511 and an average SAT Math score of 484.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Francis Marion University was 70%.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 43%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 4,055 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 6% for that year. There was a total of 3,635 undergrad students, including 82 international students. 161 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 938 male and 1,725 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Francis Marion University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 33, while the number of Afro-American students was 989. 171 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 108 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 23 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Francis Marion University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Francis Marion University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $10,394, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $20,768 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $20,768, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $776.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $20,768 | $776 | $21,544 |
| In-State | $10,394 | $776 | $11,170 |
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,394 |
| Total Expense | $ 10,394 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Francis Marion University.
The most recent records show that 522 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $15,663.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 1,662 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,704. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $8,743,584, and state $7,575,023. The students of Francis Marion University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,834,674, and external in the amount of $745,681.
$8,759
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 139 students overall (including freshmen) at Francis Marion University in 2025. 43 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,071,046. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $476,987 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Francis Marion University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 330 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 142 male and 188 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Francis Marion University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Francis Marion University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about campus life at Francis Marion University.
Its campus is 832 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 60 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. 7 percent of male and 7 of female students participate in different organizations at Francis Marion University. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is National Society of Leadership and Success, followed by Pre-Vet Club and T.A.O.C.A.T.N.A (The Absolutely Outrageous Club of All Things Nerdy & Awesome!). Other popular organizations among the students at Francis Marion University are NAACP and Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Francis Marion University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Francis Marion University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Francis Marion University.
All in all, campus life at Francis Marion University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Francis Marion University.
Career Counselling
At Francis Marion University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Francis Marion University is located in Florence, SC.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Francis Marion University is 86%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Francis Marion University is 70%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
