Furman University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Greenville, South Carolina · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2023-2024

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2023-2024

  • Test-optional
  • Early Decision
  • Early Decision II
  • Early Action
8,406
Applicants
4,419
Admitted53%
620
Enrolled
14%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Moderately selective53% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1340
Mid 50: 1280–1410
In-state tuition
$59,360
per year, before aid (CDS 2023-2024)
Net price (avg)
$30,308
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #57 (tie) in National Liberal Arts CollegesU.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2023-2024 Common Data Set published by Furman University (see the source), read on 2026-06-14.

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Quick answer

Furman University is a private nonprofit university in Greenville, South Carolina that admits about 53% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $30,308 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Communication and Media Studies, Political Science and Government and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 81% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Furman University is a private institution located in Greenville, South Carolina with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Furman University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 53%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1340 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $30,308 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Furman University?

71% of enrolled students at Furman University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.66, according to its 2023-2024 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
20.6%
3.75–3.99
27.7%
3.50–3.74
22.6%
3.25–3.49
16.3%
3.00–3.24
8.2%
2.50–2.99
3.4%
Below 2.50
1.1%
From the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by Furman University.

What does Furman University weight in admissions?

Furman University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean

Very Important

2
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA

Important

3
  • Application essay
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character/personal qualities

Considered

9
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Talent/ability
  • First generation status
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Not Considered

4
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Furman University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1280
50th percentile1340
75th percentile1410
% submitting SAT28.2%
ACT Composite
25th percentile29
50th percentile31
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT24.6%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional; choose on the Common App supplement whether scores are considered. South Carolina LIFE Scholarship eligibility still uses official scores.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Furman University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class40.2%
Top 25% of class69.4%
Top 50% of class92%
% submitting class rank54.3%

How much does Furman University actually cost?

Published tuition is $59,770 for in-state students and $59,770 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,504 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $30,308 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 13% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$59,360
Room and board$16,504
Average net price (after aid)$30,308
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need84%
Average need-based grant$43,455
Average merit award, no financial need260 first-year students received one$31,161
Graduates who borrowed37%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$30,425
Financial aid formsFAFSA; CSS Profile for international applicantsCollege Board 2026-27 list
Application fee—

Application deadlines and early decision data for Furman University

Regular admission
Regular deadline2024-01-15
Notification date2024-03-01
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 15
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)28%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineDecember 1
EA acceptance rate69%

Will my child graduate from Furman University?

These predict outcomes at Furman University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
90.57%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
81.49%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Furman University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Furman University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Communication and Media Studies, Political Science and Government and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Furman University confers roughly 398 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Communication and Media Studies program report a median income of about $64,162 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Communication and Media Studies66$64,162
Political Science and Government62$69,977
Business Administration, Management and Operations60$76,391
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness58n/a
Biology, General51$80,090
Psychology, General43n/a
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics30n/a
Music28n/a
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Furman University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Furman University disclosed 16 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
16
6.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
11
4.62 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,379 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Furman University?

About 89% of undergraduates at Furman University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 23% of men join a fraternity and 41% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
89%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
76%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
0%
of course sections
In fraternities
23%
of men
In sororities
41%
of women
From the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by Furman University.

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Common questions parents ask about Furman University

What GPA do I need for Furman University?

71% of enrolled students at Furman University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.66, according to its 2023-2024 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Furman University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does Furman University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Furman University after grants and scholarships is $30,308 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $59,770. Budget against the net figure.

Is Furman University realistic for my child?

Furman University admits 53% of applicants, so 610–710 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $30,308 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Furman University?

Furman University accepts about 53% of applicants out of roughly 8,406 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Furman University test-optional?

Yes. Furman University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Furman University?

About 81% of students at Furman University graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Furman University?

Furman University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 28%, compared with its overall rate of 53%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Furman University look for in applicants?

Furman University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Furman University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Furman University is a private nonprofit institution located in Greenville, South Carolina.

What are the most popular majors at Furman University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Furman University by annual graduates are Communication and Media Studies, Political Science and Government and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 398 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Furman University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Furman University reported 16 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Furman University?

At Furman University, 89% of undergraduates live on campus, 23% of men are in fraternities, 41% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by Furman University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers