Bard College vs. Furman

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Furman University in Greenville, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Furman University is in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Furman University 10:1.

Bard College vs. Furman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Furman? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bard College than Furman ($29,320 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Furman University are 12.5% lower than at Bard College ($16,504 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Furman (about $6,666 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Bard College than at Furman University (about $6,666 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 29% larger than aid received by Furman University students ($55,235 vs. $42,811).

Bard College vs. Furman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Furman? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Furman and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 10 points higher than at Furman (1350).
• Incoming Bard College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Furman (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Furman University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Furman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 13.1% at Furman.

Bard College vs. Furman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Furman? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Furman University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $751 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($25,443 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($263 vs. $270).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.