Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florence, South Carolina
82.2% Acceptance Rate
Francis Marion University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
82.2%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1039Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$22,944Annual Cost
$43,888Grad Salary
38.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
82.2%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1039
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
900–1138
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Avg Net Price
$13,451
Need-Based Aid
38.8% receive Pell
Francis Marion University is a public, regional institution in South Carolina known for its commitment to academic excellence, student-centered learning, and regional service. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the university combines the advantages of a liberal arts college with the resources and programs of a public university. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value education makes it a reliable and effective choice for students.
Francis Marion University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Francis Marion University is inclusive by design. 82.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 82.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Francis Marion University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Francis Marion University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Francis Marion University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Francis Marion University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Francis Marion University is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.09–4.29.Francis Marion University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Application fee is $41 (automatically waived for verified military/veteran applicants); SAT/ACT submission is optional and does not count against you
- The Bridge Program with 8 partner SC technical colleges guarantees sophomore-year admission (no FMU re-application needed) for students earning 22 transferable credits and a 2.0 GPA in their freshman year
- Core curriculum requires precise field distribution: 3 lab science units (2 from different fields among biology/chemistry/physics - Physical Science does not qualify), 2 units of the same foreign language, and 1 fine arts unit
- Second-bachelor's-degree seekers pursuing Nursing should contact the Coordinator of Nursing Student Services directly for prerequisite requirements before applying, separate from the standard second-degree application process
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Francis Marion University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Francis Marion University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Francis Marion University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Francis Marion University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Francis Marion University Without SAT or ACT?
Francis Marion University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Francis Marion University Average SAT Score: 1039
Admitted students at Francis Marion University average a 1039 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1039 — Accessible
A 1039 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1138 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Francis Marion University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 900? A retake is worth it at Francis Marion University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 489 | 430 | 548 |
| SAT Reading | 530 | 470 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1039 | 900 | 1138 |
A score under 900 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1138+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Francis Marion University with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Francis Marion University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Francis Marion University ACT Requirements
Francis Marion University's admitted students average an ACT of 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
An average of 20 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 23 |
Can I get into Francis Marion University with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of Francis Marion University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Francis Marion University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Francis Marion University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Francis Marion University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Route through the Bridge Program if you attend one of FMU's 8 partner SC technical colleges
Students who start at a partner technical college (Central Carolina, Florence-Darlington, Greenville, Horry-Georgetown, Northeastern, Orangeburg-Calhoun, Trident, or Williamsburg Tech) and earn 22 transferable credit hours with a 2.0 GPA in their freshman year are automatically admitted to FMU as sophomores - without resubmitting an FMU application. If you're weighing a technical college start, structure your freshman coursework specifically around the Bridge Program Pathway for your intended FMU major to guarantee this automatic transfer.
Map your high school schedule against FMU's exact field-distribution requirements, not a generic "college prep" checklist
FMU's core curriculum has specific distribution rules that trip up otherwise-strong applicants: lab science requires 2 units from different fields (biology, chemistry, or physics - Physical Science explicitly does NOT count), foreign language requires 2 units of the SAME language, and 1 fine arts unit is required even though it's hard to find at some SC schools. Audit your transcript against these exact rules junior year, while there's still time to add a missing course, rather than discovering a gap at application time.
Skip submitting SAT/ACT scores unless they clearly help you
Since standardized test scores are explicitly optional at FMU and admission decisions focus on your high school record, coursework rigor, recommendations, and extracurriculars, submitting a mediocre score adds a data point working against you for no required benefit. Only send scores if they meaningfully strengthen your application relative to your GPA and coursework.
Claim your military/veteran fee waiver upfront rather than paying the $41 application fee
FMU automatically waives the $41 non-refundable application fee once military or veteran status is verified - indicate this status clearly at the start of your application rather than paying the fee and seeking a refund afterward, since the waiver is built into the standard process for verified applicants.
Expert Insight:
The most common and avoidable mistake is assuming a standard college-prep high school schedule satisfies FMU's core curriculum - the specific rules (lab science from two different named fields, two units of the SAME foreign language, Physical Science not counting as lab science) are stricter than they appear, and applicants who assume any "science" or "language" course qualifies often find themselves short a required unit at the exact point they thought their application was complete.
Francis Marion University Profile
Full Name
Francis Marion University
City
Florence
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29506
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Francis Marion University Degree Worth It?
Whether Francis Marion University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,000, and graduates see a 4.23% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Francis Marion University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $22,944/year at Francis Marion University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $13,451.
At Francis Marion University, 38.8% receive a Pell Grant and 43.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Francis Marion University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Francis Marion University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Francis Marion University graduates report a median income of $43,888, about 8% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Francis Marion University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Francis Marion University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Francis Marion University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Francis Marion University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Francis Marion University Admissions
Francis Marion University graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,888/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Francis Marion University is relatively affordable, around $22,944/year.
38.8% of Francis Marion University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Francis Marion University's acceptance rate is 82.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Francis Marion University students is 3.89, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.59 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Francis Marion University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.49 or below makes admission tougher at Francis Marion University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Francis Marion University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1039, and within the 900–1138 range, keeps you competitive.
Francis Marion University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Francis Marion University charges an application fee of 41; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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