Furman vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

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

Furman University is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Furman vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or Bennington? 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 Furman University than Bennington ($34,086 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Furman University are 13.6% lower than at Bennington College ($16,504 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Furman (about $6,492 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Bennington than at Furman University (about $6,492 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Furman University as at Bennington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Furman University students ($53,064 vs. $42,811).

Furman vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Furman or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Furman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is the same as at Bennington (1350).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Furman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Furman students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Bennington has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Furman vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and Bennington? 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 Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $557 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($25,443 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

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.