CofC vs. Furman

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with Furman University in Greenville, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Charleston is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Furman University is in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Furman University 10:1.

CofC vs. Furman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 College of Charleston than Furman ($21,004 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 13.2% lower than at Furman University ($14,332 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 360.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $46,792 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at Furman than at College of Charleston (about $21,474 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 376.6% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($42,811 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Furman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 120 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming Furman students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Furman University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Furman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Furman (3.61).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 13.1% at Furman.

CofC vs. Furman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,943 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($222 vs. $263).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 60%)

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.