At $13,451/yr net price, Francis Marion University graduates earn $43,888/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,888/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,451 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,804 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,888/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,888/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,670/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,892/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,205/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,514/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,623/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $101,964 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,866 | $25,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $43,426 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,649 | $20,557 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $33,993 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $31,314 | $26,948 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,157 | $28,780 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $28,443 | $28,250 |
The Risk Factor
42.7% of students at Francis Marion University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Francis Marion gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns under $44,000 ten years out while carrying $27,000 in debt, so the typical outcome is modest earnings against a debt load that eats into them for years. A 42.7% graduation rate and a 69% retention rate are the bigger risks here: if you leave with debt but no degree, you get the loan payments without the earnings bump.
Nursing is the clear payoff. It pays roughly $58,900 with lower-than-average debt, and Florence anchors a regional hospital market that keeps hiring nurses. That gap matters. A nursing graduate out-earns an accounting graduate by about $20,000 a year, and out-earns a teacher education graduate by nearly $29,000. Teacher education is the weakest bet on paper: it produces the lowest earnings on this list and the highest debt at almost $29,000, so you finish owing more than you'll make in your first year. Accounting and finance land in the middle around $37,000 to $39,000, workable if you keep debt down, but not high fliers.
The net price tiers are close together, which works against lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay around $10,700 a year, and the discount for the lowest tier is small compared to what higher-income families pay. There's no steep drop-off that makes this cheap for the poorest students.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing and staying in the region. If you're set on teaching or unsure of your major, the earnings and completion odds mean you should price out cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Francis Marion University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Francis Marion University offers a relatively low net price at $13,451 per year, but graduates earn only $43,888 after 10 years, which is below the national average. The 42.7% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Francis Marion University?
Nursing programs at Francis Marion University offer the strongest return on investment, with some nursing specializations earning over $100,000 annually. Other majors like accounting ($38,649) and finance ($37,208) provide modest returns given the investment.
How much debt do Francis Marion University graduates typically have?
Francis Marion University graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with average earnings of $43,888, graduates may still struggle with debt payments depending on their chosen field.
Should I attend Francis Marion University if I'm not studying nursing?
Francis Marion University's value drops significantly outside of nursing programs, where most other majors earn under $45,000 annually. The low graduation rate of 42.7% also means there's a high risk of not completing your degree at all.