Degree Dividend
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Francis Marion University vs Bob Jones University: which has better ROI?

Public, Florence SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Greenville SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Francis Marion University comes closer — median earnings $43,888 against a $45,544 total, vs $44,354 at Bob Jones University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFrancis Marion UniversityBob Jones University
Net price / yr$11,386$16,641
Total net cost$45,544$66,564
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,888$44,354
Median debt$27,000$16,585
Payback
20-year net return-$134,984-$146,684

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University?

Francis Marion University, at $11,386 a year after aid versus $16,641 — a gap of $5,255 a year, or $21,020 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University graduates earn more?

Bob Jones University graduates report a median $44,354 ten years after entry, $466 more than the $43,888 at Francis Marion University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University?

Bob Jones University: its completers carry a median $16,585 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Francis Marion University, a difference of $10,415. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Bob Jones University, against 43% at Francis Marion University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Francis Marion University vs Bob Jones University: frequently asked questions

Is Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University a better value?
Francis Marion University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University?
Francis Marion University: $11,386/yr net price after aid versus $16,641/yr at Bob Jones University — a difference of $5,255 a year, or about $21,020 over four years.
Do Francis Marion University or Bob Jones University graduates earn more?
Bob Jones University graduates earn a median $44,354 ten years after entry, versus $43,888 at Francis Marion University — a $466 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.