Duke vs. Furman

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Furman University in Greenville, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Furman University is in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Furman University 10:1.

Duke vs. Furman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Duke University than Furman ($21,981 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Furman University are 9% lower than at Duke University ($16,504 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than Furman (about $8,988 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Duke than at Furman University (about $8,988 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Duke University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 53% larger than aid received by Furman University students ($65,522 vs. $42,811).

Duke vs. Furman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 190 points higher than at Furman (1350).
• Incoming Duke students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Furman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Furman University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Furman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Furman (3.61).
• Furman has a higher acceptance rate (42.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 13.1% at Furman.

Duke vs. Furman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Furman University's (87%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $54,600 more per year than Furman graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $17,943 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($7,500 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $186 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($77 vs. $263).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Furman students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.