Furman University
#1 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 80% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $68,635 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $30,308 F
- 77% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 43% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $17.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,951,873.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 68% more than the national college median.
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A 80% graduation rate — 40% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 55%
- Patents
- 30
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 128
- Downstream influence
Why Furman University Matters
Furman University is a private liberal arts college in Greenville, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,379
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences
Why students choose Furman University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 43% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1260–1430. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,308 a year after grants and scholarships — 77% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $68,635 ten years after enrolling — 68% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,400 students, Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, caters to those seeking a close-knit community and a well-rounded education. The standout programs here include Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, and Physical Sciences. Students who thrive at Furman often appreciate the balance between academic rigor and personal growth, making it a solid choice for those ready to engage deeply with their studies.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers speak volumes. Graduates earn an average of $68,635 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of income suggests that Furman alumni find solid footing in their chosen fields. The 80% graduation rate indicates that most students are successfully completing their degrees, which is a key factor in long-term earning potential.
Looking at the financial aspect, the net price after aid stands at $30,308, with a median debt of $23,250. This means that while the investment is significant, it remains manageable for many graduates. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are proactive about their education and willing to engage with the opportunities available, both inside and outside the classroom.
Rankings
- #1 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #3 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #3 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #3 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Furman University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Furman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Furman University, located in Greenville, South Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,371. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1371
- ACT Midpoint
- 31
- SAT Range
- 1260–1430
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,399
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 12%
- Applicants
- 7,514
- Admitted
- 5,036
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Furman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Furman University is $59,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,308. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,401 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $59,770
- Out-of-State
- $59,770
- Avg Net Price
- $30,308
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 13%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,401
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,290
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,041
- Family Income $110K+
- $39,310
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Furman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Furman University earn a median of $68,635, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,796
- 8 Years
- $57,288
- 10 Years
- $68,635
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (526)
- 73%
- 100% (526)
- 73%
- 100% (526)
- 73%
- 100% (526)
- 73%
How Furman Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Furman University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Furman University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,308/year ($121,232 total). Graduates earn $68,635 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,073,105 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,951,873 (17.1× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 80% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $121,232
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,073,105
- Net Return
- $1,951,873
- ROI Multiple
- 17.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,308
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Furman University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Furman University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.69%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $156,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.69%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $156,700
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Furman University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 30 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.39%
- Top 55% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 30
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 128
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,905,014
- Investment Income
- $-8,361,954
Top Programs
The fields Furman University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Social Sciences 11%
- Biology & Biomedical 11%
- Physical Sciences 8%
- Psychology 7%
- Communications 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Furman University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Furman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Furman University, located in Greenville, South Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,371. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Furman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Furman University is $59,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,308. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,401 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Furman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Furman University earn a median of $68,635, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Furman University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Furman University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.69%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $156,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Furman University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Furman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Furman University.
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA · Close peer83% grad $71,517 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PA · Close peer82% grad $70,204 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · Close peer78% grad $70,871 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN · Close peer84% grad $65,543 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer74% grad $66,944 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rhodes CollegeMemphis, TN · Close peer83% grad $66,651 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Furman University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Furman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note