Furman University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Greenville, South Carolina. It enrolls 2,379 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
69/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes88
Value31
Affordability10
Selectivity88
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 43%, Furman University is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
43%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1260 – 1430
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
28 – 32
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Furman University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
4.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Furman University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $30,308 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$30,308
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
13%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
28%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$59,770
Room & Board (on-campus)
$16,504
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,504
Books & Supplies
$1,250
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,400
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,400
Total Cost of Attendance
$76,798
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$16,401
$30,001 – $48,000
$17,290
$48,001 – $75,000
$21,041
$75,001 – $110,000
$27,736
Over $110,000
$39,310
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$9,25025%percentile
$23,250Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$38,84390%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $19,735
↓ $3,515
No Pell $19,500
↓ $3,750
Dependent students $19,500
↓ $3,750
Independent students $13,544
↓ $9,706
Female students $21,250
↓ $2,000
Male students $17,250
↓ $6,000
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,730, less than completers ($23,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
78% of full-time students who enrolled at Furman University graduate within six years, and 91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
78%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Furman University earn a median of $68,635 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$68,635
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$52,800
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$68,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$64,100
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$54,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$60,700
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $15,500, about 23% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
13.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Furman University is home to 2,379 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,379
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
12%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 72.6%1,726
Hispanic 7.2%171
Black 6.1%144
International 6.1%144
Other 4.0%96
Asian 3.4%80
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Furman University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbGreenville, South Carolina
Housing
Strongly residential2,398 beds for 2,379 students
Adult Learners
0%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Furman University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
47 distinct programs across
18 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Furman University is 9:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
9:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.1B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$93,623
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
270 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
117
43%
$112,152
Associate Professors
70
26%
$93,037
Assistant Professors
57
21%
$76,343
Instructors
2
1%
$65,900
Lecturers
24
9%
$48,357
Pros & Cons of Furman University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Furman University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Furman University is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Furman University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Furman University.
Is Furman University hard to get into?
Furman University is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 43%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at Furman University?
Furman University has an acceptance rate of 43%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Furman University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Furman University scored between 1260 and 1430 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Furman University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Furman University scored between 28 and 32 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Furman University cost?
The average net price after aid at Furman University is $30,308 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Furman University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $68,635 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $30,308 per year. That's roughly 2.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Furman University known for?
Furman University is best known for its programs in Political Science, Kinesiology, Communication & Media. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Furman University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Furman University are $68,635, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Furman University accredited?
Yes. Furman University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend Furman University?
Furman University enrolls 2,379 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Furman University?
Furman University graduates 78% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Furman University a public or private college?
Furman University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Furman University located?
Furman University is located in Greenville, South Carolina.
What programs does Furman University offer?
Furman University offers 47 distinct programs. The most popular include Political Science, Kinesiology, Communication & Media.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Furman University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Furman University is 9:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in South Carolina
Other colleges in South Carolina share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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