Furman University is a private nonprofit smaller four-year college in Greenville, SC, focused on bachelor’s-level study with a suburban campus setting, with about 2,379 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 43.0%, listed tuition around $59,770 and typical net price of $30,308 after grants, first-year retention of 90.6%, about 78.8% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $50,796 six years after enrollment.

Grade for Furman University

Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.

Overall grade

C

Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.

How are grades calculated?

Affordability
D-

$30,308Average net price

Outcomes
B

78.8%Graduation rate

Career
B-

$50,796Median earnings, 6 years after entry

Economic Access
D+

13.2%Pell Grant recipient share

Key facts for Furman University

Tuition (in-state)
$59,770
Tuition (out-of-state)
$59,770
Total cost of attendance
$76,798
Average net price
$30,308
Acceptance rate
43.0%
Total enrollment
2,379
Graduation rate
78.8%
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$50,796

Key rankings for Furman University

Where Furman University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.

#1,540 of 1,811

Net Price

#539 of 1,816

Earnings

#248 of 1,808

Retention

#231 of 1,850

Graduation

#863 of 1,767

Debt

What stands out at Furman University

Furman University in Greenville, SC is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.

  • Large suburb
  • 2,379 undergraduates
Average net price$30,308
Acceptance rate43.0%
Pell Grant recipient share13.2%
Graduation rate78.8%
Median earnings, 6 years after entry$50,796
First-year retention90.6%

Both average net price after aid and six-year earnings register above national medians for similar schools, consistent with a higher cost that is paired with stronger early-career pay in this data.

First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.

Admission is more selective than the national middle for similar schools and Pell Grant use runs lower—typical of campuses where access is shaped more by selectivity than by very high financial need in the enrolled class.

Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.

Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.

Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.

At a glance

Cost, outcomes & access at Furman University

Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.

Net Price and Earnings

Average net price (after aid)
$30,308
Median earnings 6 years after entry
$50,796

Retention and Graduation

First-year retention
90.6%
Graduation rate (within 6 years)
78.8%

Acceptance and Pell Grant Share

Acceptance rate
43.0%
Undergraduate Pell recipient share
13.2%
Total cost and tuition

Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.

Total cost of attendance$76,798
Listed tuition (in-state)$59,770
Listed tuition (out-of-state)$59,770
Room and board (on campus)$16,504
Average net price (after aid)$30,308

In-state tuition is above the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $26,816.

How Furman University compares

Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).

This school vs state, regional, and national benchmarks

Net price

This school$30,308
State (SC)$18,491
Region$18,796
National$19,923

Earnings, 6 years

This school$50,796
State (SC)$38,848
Region$39,566
National$45,225

Retention

This school90.6%
State (SC)69.7%
Region71.9%
National74.9%

Graduation

This school78.8%
State (SC)47.0%
Region48.8%
National54.4%

Median debt

This school$23,250
State (SC)$26,000
Region$24,053
National$23,250

Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.

Measure This school State (SC) Region Nation
Net price$30,308Above national median$18,491$18,796$19,923
Earnings, 6 years$50,796Above national median$38,848$39,566$45,225
Retention90.6%Above national median69.7%71.9%74.9%
Graduation78.8%Above national median47.0%48.8%54.4%
Acceptance rate43.0%Below national median72.5%74.3%77.0%
Pell share13.2%Below national median39.2%37.9%33.9%
Median debt$23,250About the same$26,000$24,053$23,250
3-year cohort default rate0.0%About the same0.0%0.0%0.0%

Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.

Campus & institution details for Furman University

Campus settingLarge suburb
Official websitewww.furman.edu/
Student–faculty ratio10:1
Full-time faculty83.6%
Avg monthly faculty salary$10,399
SAT midpointReading & Writing 675 · Math 656

Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.

Women57.8%
Men42.2%
Black or African American6.0%
Hispanic / Latino7.2%
White72.5%
Asian3.4%
Two or more races3.8%
International students6.0%

Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.

Frequently asked questions about Furman University

Common questions about Furman University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.

Where is Furman University located?

Furman University is located in Greenville, SC. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.

What kind of school is Furman University?

Furman University is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.

How much does it cost to attend Furman University (tuition and net price)?

Listed sticker tuition is $59,770 for in-state students and $59,770 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $30,308. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.

What is Furman University's acceptance rate?

The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 43.0% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.

How large is Furman University's undergraduate student body?

Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,379. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.

What are completion and earnings outcomes for Furman University?

Median earnings six years after entry at Furman University are roughly $50,796. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 78.8% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.

How does Best Universities rank Furman University?

Among similar schools nationwide, Furman University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#1,540 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#539 of 1,816); First-year retention (#248 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#231 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#863 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.

Where should I go for admissions and official information about Furman University?

For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Furman University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.

All figures for Furman University Expand to view

A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.

All figures for Furman University
FieldValue
InstitutionFurman University
Official websitewww.furman.edu/
City, stateGreenville, SC
School typeFour-year college
Undergraduate enrollment2,379
Listed tuition (in-state)$59,770
Listed tuition (out-of-state)$59,770
Listed tuition (generic)$59,770
Total cost of attendance$76,798
Room and board (on campus)$16,504
Average net price$30,308
Median earnings, 6 years after entry$50,796
Median earnings, 8 years after entry$57,288
Median earnings, 10 years after entry$68,635
Median loan debt$23,250
3-year cohort default rate0.0%
First-year retention90.6%
Graduation rate (4-year programs)78.8%
Graduation rate (shorter programs)Not reported
Acceptance rate43.0%
SAT average1,371
ACT average31
Pell Grant share13.2%
Share with federal loans27.8%
Part-time enrollment share0.6%
Campus settingLarge suburb
Student–faculty ratio10
Avg monthly faculty salary$10,399
Full-time faculty share83.6%
Online onlyNo
HBCUNo
SAT midpoint, Math656
SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing675
Share of undergraduates, women57.8%
Share of undergraduates, men42.2%
Share of undergraduates, Black6.0%
Share of undergraduates, Hispanic7.2%
Share of undergraduates, White72.5%
Share of undergraduates, Asian3.4%
Share of undergraduates, two or more races3.8%
Share of undergraduates, international6.0%
Net price, family income $0–30kNot reported
Net price, family income $30–48kNot reported
Net price, family income $48–75kNot reported
Net price, family income $75–110kNot reported
Net price, family income $110k+Not reported

Sources for Furman University

Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.