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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 academic institution uses 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%.
Read more about what Francis Marion University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
3,635
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
43%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most vital data you should know about admission at Francis Marion University.
According to the newest information reported, 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 considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those 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 enrolled 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 freshmen 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 average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 20 while the average GPA was 3.83. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and 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
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Francis Marion University was 70%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 43%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 4,055 students.
That year, the school had 6% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 3,635, 82 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 161 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
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 33, and the number of African American students was 989. 171 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 108 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 23 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Francis Marion University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 522 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,663.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
1,662 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,704. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
139 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 43 full-time freshman. 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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Francis Marion University was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 330 teachers at this school. This number included 142 men and 188 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality 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. Check out some info about campus life at Francis Marion University.
Its campus spans 832 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 60 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 7 and female students 7. The student organization that has the biggest membership 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 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 that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. 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 everything most students need.
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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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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.