Furman University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Greenville, South Carolina · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2023-2024
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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.
What does Furman University weight in admissions?
Furman University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Character/personal qualities
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.
| 25th percentile | 1280 |
| 50th percentile | 1340 |
| 75th percentile | 1410 |
| % submitting SAT | 28.2% |
| 25th percentile | 29 |
| 50th percentile | 31 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 24.6% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
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 class | 40.2% |
| Top 25% of class | 69.4% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
| % submitting class rank | 54.3% |
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 — 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 |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Furman University
| Regular deadline | 2024-01-15 |
| Notification date | 2024-03-01 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 15 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 15 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 28% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 1 |
| EA acceptance rate | 69% |
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
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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 66 | $64,162 |
| Political Science and Government | 62 | $69,977 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 60 | $76,391 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 58 | — |
| Biology, General | 51 | $80,090 |
| Psychology, General | 43 | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 30 | — |
| Music | 28 | — |
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
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.
Other colleges in South Carolina parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Furman University
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, 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