Francis Marion University is a public university in Florence, South Carolina. It was founded in 1970 and has an undergraduate enrollment of about 4,000 students. The university offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including popular programs like business, nursing, education, and criminal justice.

Admissions at Francis Marion University
Admissions at Francis Marion University are considered “selective.” For the fall 2022 semester, the university received over 6,000 applications and admitted about 3,000 students. The average GPA of admitted students was 3.6, and the average SAT score was 1150.
Application Requirements
To apply to Francis Marion University, you will need to submit the following:
- A completed application form
- Official transcripts from your high school or previous college
- SAT or ACT scores
- A personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
Note: Francis Marion University offers a test-optional admissions policy. This means that you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores if you do not want to.
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for Francis Marion University are as follows:
- Early Action: November 15
- Regular Decision: March 15
Note: Early Action applicants will be notified of their admission decision by December 15. Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision by April 15.
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Francis Marion University is about 50%. This means that about half of all applicants are admitted to the university.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of tuition at Francis Marion University varies depending on your residency status and whether you are attending full-time or part-time. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the tuition rates are as follows:
- In-state tuition: $11,352
- Out-of-state tuition: $22,704
- Part-time tuition: $470 per credit hour
Francis Marion University offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the university awarded over $30 million in financial aid to students.
Student Life
Francis Marion University offers a variety of student activities and organizations. The university has over 100 student clubs and organizations, including academic clubs, social clubs, and athletic clubs. The university also has a variety of athletic teams, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball.
Academics
Francis Marion University offers a variety of academic programs, including:
- Business
- Nursing
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Sociology
- History
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
The university also offers a variety of graduate programs, including:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
Rankings
Francis Marion University is ranked among the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. The university is also ranked among the best colleges for veterans by Military Times.
Notable Alumni
Francis Marion University has a number of notable alumni, including:
- James Clyburn: U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 6th congressional district
- Nikki Haley: Former Governor of South Carolina
- Tim Scott: U.S. Senator from South Carolina
- Darius Rucker: Country music singer and songwriter
Conclusion
Francis Marion University is a great option for students who are looking for a quality education at an affordable price. The university offers a variety of academic programs, student activities, and financial aid options.
If you are interested in applying to Francis Marion University, I encourage you to visit the university’s website or contact the admissions office.
